In Home Care Advice: Glaucoma Facts for National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Uncategorized  |  January 28, 2018

Glaucoma is a painless disease, but it is very serious because it can damage the optic nerve. This is the nerve which allows us to see, as it connects the eye to the brain. Glaucoma often afflicts senior citizens, and is a leading cause of blindness. Learn about the risks, symptoms, causes, and treatments for glaucoma from in home care experts.

Glaucoma Risk Factors

The largest risk influencing the development of glaucoma is high eye pressure. Old age and previous eye injuries are a risk, as well as thin corneas and nearsightedness. Other risk factors include a family history of glaucoma, shock, or anemia, and use of steroids.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

There are five separate types of glaucoma, but open-angle glaucoma is the most common. There are no easily identifiable symptoms, except a gradual loss of vision. Older adults should make sure to visit the ophthalmologist every year so that their vision changes can be monitored.

Narrow-angle glaucoma is another type, and it is considered a medical emergency. Symptoms can include severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, sickness, nausea, and vomiting. If a senior experiences these, they should alert their family or in home care provider and get to a doctor immediately.

Causes of Glaucoma

Glaucoma usually develops when the fluid inside of the eye fails to drain properly. Due to increased fluid buildup, the pressure inside the eye increases which can hinder the optic nerve. Over time, this can lead to vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma can also affect those with normal eye pressure if they have a weak optic nerve with poor blood circulation.

Glaucoma Treatments

Glaucoma can be treated by a doctor in several ways. Most commonly, they will treat glaucoma with eye drops, which work by reducing the formation of fluid in the eye and increasing flow outward. Stinging, red, and irritable eyes are some symptoms of glaucoma eye drops. Seniors’ doctors should be informed about any medication allergies, and can prescribe an oral medication in the case that eye drops do not work.

Seniors with glaucoma can turn to laser surgery for treatment to increase eye fluid flow for those with open-angle glaucoma, and to stop the blockage of fluid for those with angle-closure glaucoma. Laser surgeries to treat glaucoma include trabeculoplasty, cyclophotocoagulation, and iridotomy.

Glaucoma and general eye health can be improved with lifestyle changes and home remedies. In home care specialists recommend that seniors eat a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and dark leafy green vegetables, sleep well with head elevated, and exercise frequently.

Glaucoma is not a preventable disease, but with an early diagnosis and treatment it can be put under control. Seniors who make it a priority to visit their ophthalmologist every year will have reduced risk of blindness and a higher quality of life with healthy eyes as they age. c

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