As the “sneak thief of sight,” glaucoma affects about 3 million Americans, half of which don’t even know they have it. It’s not until they experience blind spots that sufferers begin to suspect that something is wrong, but by then, irreversible nerve damage may have already occurred. What makes matters worse is that glaucoma is an entirely preventable disease and many of these individuals could have saved their sight had they sought treatment.
While there is no cure for this disease, it can be effectively treated following a regular eye exam. At Florida Eye Center, our board-certified ophthalmologists are here to provide comprehensive glaucoma treatment in Tampa. If you are experiencing the symptoms of glaucoma or are concerned with your eye health, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor from Florida Eye Center; it may just save your sight.
While new research suggests that an autoimmune response to bacteria may contribute to vision loss in glaucoma, little is known about what actually causes this disease. What is clear is that glaucoma results in permanent optic nerve damage. This damage is usually related to an increase in eye pressure, as is the case with open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and pigmentary glaucoma; however, optic nerve damage can still occur even when eye pressure is normal — a condition known as normal-tension glaucoma.
Although the underlying cause is unknown, the risk factors for developing one of these diseases are apparent. It goes without saying that any form of vision loss is something to be concerned about, so you must keep the following risk factors top of mind and have yourself screened for glaucoma even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms. Remember, by the time you wait for symptoms to present themselves, it may already be too late for glaucoma treatment in Tampa.
What follows are the risk factors that can increase your risk of developing glaucoma:
At Florida Eye Center, we take a comprehensive approach to treating glaucoma. We start with a complete glaucoma evaluation, utilizing advanced imaging technology and visual field testing to accurately measure eye pressure and inspect optic nerve health. Treatment begins immediately upon diagnosis. Today, eye drops and laser eye surgery in Tampa can both be used as first line treatment options to treat glaucoma with the American Academy of Ophthalmology noting that primary SLT “appears to be a cost-effective alternative to drops for IOP control with minimal risks.”
As carried out by our trained medical staff, the above measures are incredibly effective at preventing and treating glaucoma, but that’s only possible if you keep up with your regular eye exams. Be sure to schedule an appointment once every five years if you are under the age of 40, once every few years once you reach the age of 40, and annually if you are over the age of 65. Just an hour-long exam is enough to detect this disease and potentially save your sight.
To schedule a appointment for laser eye surgery in Tampa at the Florida Eye Center, please contact us today.
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