Glaucoma has been called “the silent thief of sight” because it produces few if any noticeable symptoms in its earliest stages, when it can be most easily managed. This is why it is important for people to undergo regular eye exams, especially if they are at higher than normal risk of developing glaucoma. In many cases, by the time the disease has exhibited clear symptoms, it has already caused irreversible damage to the eye.
At Chicago Cornea Consultants™, Ltd., we are firm believers in the power of preventive care. It is far better to stay ahead of the progression of an eye disease such as glaucoma than to try to manage it once it has already developed into its intermediate or latter stages. This means that you must be aware of both the risk factors and the symptoms of glaucoma, and that you must seek immediate care if any of these symptoms present themselves.
When patients schedule eye exams at our eye care center in Chicago, glaucoma symptoms are discussed in detail. If you or someone you love is at risk of glaucoma or experiencing any of the symptoms of glaucoma, we urge you to schedule an appointment with our renowned eye care professionals as soon as possible.
Are you at risk for glaucoma?
Glaucoma can strike anyone; as a disease, it does not discriminate. However, there are certain traits that can place you at higher risk of developing the disease. If one or more of the following risk factors pertain to you, it is important that you be screened regularly for glaucoma:
- You have a family history of glaucoma
- You have sustained a previous injury to the eye
- You have diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension (high blood pressure)
- You are African-American
- You are over the age of 40
- You have elevated intraocular pressure
- You are extremely nearsighted or farsighted
Keep in mind that any one of these risk factors in isolation will not necessarily put you at high risk of developing glaucoma; it simply means that you are at higher risk than someone who does not have any of the risk factors. If, however, you have several of these risk factors, your risk increases considerably – as does your urgent need to schedule routine eye exams.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Each of these forms of the disease produces very different symptoms. Tragically, patients with open-angle glaucoma tend not to experience any symptoms until they have permanently lost at least some of their vision. This vision loss can manifest itself as degradation of the peripheral vision and eventually progress to complete blindness if left unmanaged.
The symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma tend to progress over time and may even seem to improve for brief periods. Common symptoms include eye redness, eye pain, swelling of the eyes, blurred vision, and the appearance of halos around lights.
Learn More about Glaucoma and Its Symptoms
To learn more about glaucoma and its symptoms, please contact Chicago Cornea Consultants™, Ltd. today.
