EARLY SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS GLAUCOMA, EYE VISION SYMPTOMS GLAUCOMA
Home Eyes EARS MOUTH NOSE SKIN

Eyes Introduction Human Eye Protective Structures Functioning Eye Comparative Anatomy Eye Diseases Eye Bank

Vision THE MECHANICS OF VISION VISUAL ACUITY VISION DISORDERS Nearsightedness Farsightedness Astigmatism
Blindness DEFINING BLINDNESS Color Blindness MAJOR CAUSES OF BLINDNESS
Cataract Trachoma Conjunctivitis Glaucoma Glaucoma - CAUSE Glaucoma - SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS Glaucoma - TREATMENT ACUTE GLAUCOMA Macular Degeneration
EDUCATION OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED TOOLS FOR VISUAL REHABILITATION Ophthalmology LOW VISION
Eyeglasses CONTACT LENSES PROTECTIVE AND HISTORY EYEGLASSES
Circulatory system Respiratory system Endocrine system Digestive system
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
LIVER LIVER DISEASES FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER STRUCTURE OF THE LIVER



EARLY SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS GLAUCOMA



EARLY SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS GLAUCOMA

 Glaucoma occurs when increased pressure within the eye causes harm to the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. A common symptom is the loss of side, or peripheral, vision. Those at risk of developing glaucoma include African Americans, diabetics, people over age 40, and people with a family history of the disease. If detected and treated in its early stages, glaucoma can be controlled and vision can be saved.

 In its early stages, glaucoma is symptomless. The gradual increase of pressure inside the eye does not cause any pain or discomfort. As the disease progresses, however, vision begins to deteriorate. The deterioration usually begins with the peripheral vision—sight at the outer edges of the visual field. If glaucoma is left untreated, the field of vision continues to shrink until a person becomes blind.

 Glaucoma can be detected before vision loss occurs by a tonometry test, which is a simple, painless part of a routine eye exam. An instrument called a tonometer blows a puff of air into the eye to measure the pressure inside the eye. Some tonometers measure pressure by means of a small plastic prism that is pressed lightly against the surface of the eye. Tests to measure peripheral vision help detect vision loss due to glaucoma. Finally, an instrument called an ophthalmoscope permits examination of the inside of the eye to detect damage to the optic nerve.



auuuu.org ©2016.