Why You Shouldn't Delay Glaucoma Treatment

Your vision is probably the sense that you rely on most. Your eyes let you navigate through life. Just as importantly, they let you take in beautiful scenery and precious moments with your loved ones. All told, your ability to see is worth protecting. 

That’s why we’re so passionate about glaucoma awareness here at Benjamin Optical. This serious eye condition is the second-most common cause of blindness around the world, and the top cause of blindness in people over 60. Fortunately, you can usually prevent blindness by catching glaucoma early and treating it, and our team offers glaucoma treatment at our offices throughout New York City.

Glaucoma is a progressive disease

Glaucoma develops when fluid buildup in your eye damages your optic nerve. One of the most important things to know about glaucoma is that it usually progresses over time. In the beginning, the pressure from the fluid strains your nerve, causing early-onset symptoms. Left unchecked, the issue worsens to the point that it can cause you to go blind.

The earlier you apply treatment, the more likely it is to provide the ongoing pressure relief your optic nerve needs. In other words, don’t wait to seek care if you notice any of the signs of this eye condition. 

Learning the warning signs of glaucoma

Glaucoma comes in two forms, so it’s important to watch for the symptoms of each:

Open-angle glaucoma

The most common type of glaucoma, this condition usually starts with vision loss at your periphery. If you notice tunnel vision, even if it seems like it’s nothing to be worried about, come see our team. The slow loss of the edges of your field of vision is a telltale sign of open-angle glaucoma. 

Narrow-angle glaucoma

The less common type of glaucoma, the narrow-angle variety, occurs because of a sudden buildup of pressure in your eye. It generally comes with eye pain and blurred vision. You might also see halos around lights or feel nauseous. 

Narrow-angle glaucoma is extremely serious. Seek immediate eye care. 

Treating glaucoma — and protecting your vision 

Long story short, if you notice any changes in your vision, don’t wait to see our team. 

Here at our offices, we offer a number of glaucoma treatments that can help to alleviate the pressure in your eye and safeguard your optic nerve. That includes:

• Medicated eye drops
• Laser treatment 
• Surgery

As an extra preventive measure, we also offer regular eye exams here at Benjamin Optical. During your visit, we can test the pressure in your eye to determine if you have glaucoma, even if you haven’t noticed symptoms yet, or if your pre-existing glaucoma is progressing. That way, we can apply the right treatment as early as possible, when it will be most effective at protecting your vision.

If you think you might have glaucoma or want to schedule a general eye checkup, call any of our offices or book the earliest available appointment online to get started.