What Should I Know About Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision impairment or blindness, especially in older adults. A buildup of fluid occurs in the frontal section of the eye, which then can result in additional pressure to the optic nerve. While early stages can be subtle, it's essential to familiarize yourself with some signs of this debilitating disease. If left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness. Urban Eyecare and Eyewear is a professional  and dedicated optometry center in West Des Moines, near Waukee, and we help patients with diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

Symptoms Of Glaucoma

This eye disease exhibits nearly no symptoms in the early stages, but over time, you can lose peripheral vision. You may notice that your world looks as if you're in a tunnel. One of the best things you can do is not skip checkups with an optometry expert who can accurately diagnosis glaucoma before it's too late. 

Am I At Risk For Developing Glaucoma? 

This disease can affect anyone, but you should know that there are portions of the population who have a higher risk. Comprehensive eye exams should be taken even more seriously if you are or have:

• Over the age of 40
• A history of glaucoma in your family 
• Increased pressure in your eyes
• Diabetes
• Heart disease and hypertension

Diagnosis and Treatment of Glaucoma

You owe it to yourself to get an eye exam from a qualified optometrist. We are properly trained to give you the best care possible for your eyes. We can run several tests to check for this disease, such as a visual field test, a dilated eye examination, or tonometry that measures the pressure in the eye. With a proper diagnosis, we can move ahead with a treatment plan. Although there is nothing you can do to prevent it, we can help you lead a relatively healthy life. After a series of tests, if it is found that you do indeed have glaucoma, we then have a priority to reduce the amount of pressure in your eyes. Typically, we accomplish a reduction of pressure through medications, eye drops, laser treatments, or surgery if needed. Through ongoing consultations with our team, you'll have more peace of mind living with glaucoma.

Schedule Your Appointment With Urban Eyecare and Eyewear In West Des Moines

Our team at Urban Eyecare and Eyewear is here for you should you have a diagnosis of glaucoma. Remember, it is an eye disease that shows minimal signs or symptoms in the early stages, so it's imperative to get keep up to date with your eye exams. For a consultation with a professional eye doctor in the West Des Moines area, please feel free to reach out to us at 515-223-1000 to schedule your appointment today.