What Is Glaucoma and How Is It Treated?

Glaucoma begins with fluid building up in the front of the eye. As the extra fluid increases pressure within the eye, the optic nerve is damaged. Although blindness from glaucoma often can be prevented by early treatment, the disease continues to be a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old. Glaucoma treatment includes eye drops, pills, laser treatment, and traditional surgery, or a combination of these methods.

Eye Drops

As stated by the Glaucoma Research Foundation, the pressure within the eye can be reduced by eye drops. Some types of drops achieve this by increasing drainage of fluid from the eye. Others help decrease the amount of fluid created in the eye. It is vital that all medications be taken precisely as prescribed.

Oral Medication

Pills, which may be prescribed in support of eye drops, also reduce the production of fluid within the eye. Since pills and eye drops are taken up to four times a day, all of the patient's doctors must be informed of these prescriptions to avoid potentially harmful interactions.

Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery has grown in popularity as a step in between medication and traditional surgery. The most frequent procedure for glaucoma treatment is a trabeculoplasty, which is painless and requires mere minutes in an outpatient facility or doctor's office. During the procedure, a beam of high-energy light is used to alter the eye's drainage system so that fluid is eliminated more efficiently. Usually, any complications from the laser are minimal.

Traditional Eye Surgery

If eye drops, pills, and laser surgery fail to decrease pressure within an eye, conventional eye surgery may be the only alternative. The most common of these surgeries is a trabeculectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon opens a passage in the white part of the eye to drain excess fluid, then creates a flap that allows fluid to escape without deflating the eyeball.

Additional types of laser and conventional surgeries are available, each one depending on the condition of the eye.

The specialists at Excellent Vision are here to help with your eye care and glaucoma treatment. Please call us at 603-430-5225 or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment.

Three Foods to Eat for Healthy Vision

Many people believe that maintaining good eye health is simply a matter of genetics. While there are hereditary traits that can give certain individuals an advantage over others, a healthy diet is also a significant component in preserving vision throughout a person's life. Here are three foods doctors recommend for healthy vision.

Carrots

This list begins with the food most commonly associated with excellent eyesight. Folk wisdom tells us that a steady diet of carrots is what gives rabbits such great vision. While this isn't entirely true (rabbits have good vision over distance, but the position of their eyes makes it hard to see things up close), it is scientifically accurate that carrots contain nutrients beneficial to the eyes. Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that gives them their orange color. Beta-carotene helps pack pigment into the retina, improving overall eyesight and especially night vision.

Spinach, Kale, and Other Leafy Greens

Spinach and kale are healthy foods that provide a wealth of benefits for the body as a whole. They're also rich in specific types of antioxidants that are especially beneficial for vision health. Spinach, kale, and other greens like broccoli are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that studies indicate may help prevent the development of cataracts, avoiding the need for cataract surgery later in life.

Salmon

It's not just vegetables that are necessary for preserving good vision. Salmon and other fish high in fat are an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. These same fatty acids are found in the retina, and a lack of them can cause dry eyes. An abundance of omega-3 fatty acids has also been shown to prevent inflammation, macular degeneration, and even cataracts. While salmon is a good option, look for other fish, like tuna, trout, sardines, and halibut, which are richer in omega-3s than a typical cod or haddock found just off Portsmouth's shores.

Maintaining healthy vision isn't just about the luck of the genomic draw. This list provides just a few of the foods people can eat to take care of their eyesight. Combining a healthy diet with regular optometry care will go a long way to preserving eye health and vision throughout a person's life. To schedule an eye exam, call Excellent Vision at 603-430-5225 today.

How Early Detection and Treatment Can Help to Prevent Blindness

Many people may not be aware of the several changes that occur while aging, and only a visit to an optician could help detect an underlying condition. The good news is that small preventive measures like eating greens and wearing sunglasses can help to protect a person's vision. But it is still necessary to pay a visit to the eye doctor for eye care services.

Commonly Detected Vision Problems

Glaucoma and diabetic eye are some of the problems that could potentially lead to eye blindness if a victim does not seek early treatment. Today, glaucoma affects more than three million Americans and early diagnosis is the key to preventing permanent blindness, as stated by the National Eye Health Education Program. It causes blindness by destroying the optic nerves of the eye. The baseline for regular eye exams is age 40.

Smokers Can Get Help Too

Smokers are exposed to cyanide, which travels through the bloodstream to the eyes where it can destroy cells. This increases the risk of developing cataracts and eye dryness. It also increases the chances for experiencing macular degeneration, which is incurable and destroys one's vision. With regular checkups and treatments by eye doctors, smokers can avoid getting these eye problems.