Diagnosing and Care for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can cause loss of vision by damaging your optic nerve. This condition drains the fluid in your eye, interfering with your vision. Diagnosing glaucoma employs a painless test. Your doctor will use eye drops to widen your pupils. They use this to check your optic nerve for damage. There are several tests in this procedure.

 

Diagnosing Glaucoma

Considering your medical history, your ophthalmologist will perform several procedures. Some of these include:

• Optical nerve testing – This involves a test of your eye and imaging tests.

• Measurement of the optical nerve – This is a visual field test of your eyes.

• Intraocular nerve test – This is a tonometry test or test of pressure in your eyes.

• Drainage angle test – This is a gonioscopy test of your eyes.

• Corneal thickness measurement.

Symptoms

The major symptoms of glaucoma involve a buildup of pressure in the nerves of your eyes. Keep in mind that this disease develops over a long time and is difficult to diagnose. Because of this, you may not realize its effects until it starts damaging your vision. 
 

Its initial symptoms include headaches, migraines, blurring vision, and painful eyes. It also includes red eyes, queasiness, nausea, and visual uneasiness with red illumination.

Causes

Glaucoma has several causes. First, you need to know that your eyes produce liquid humor. This fluid fills your eyes, making them aqueous. This aqueous solution drains via the ducts in your iris and cornea. Any obstruction in the draining of the aqueous solution results in pressure buildup. This is intraocular pressure or IOP. The pressure increase in your IOP can result in nerve damage.
 

This pressure buildup can cause visual issues if left without medical intervention. This pressure can make your ophthalmologist test for a few things. These can include high blood pressure and inadequate eye liquid drainage.

 

How To Naturally Prevent Glaucoma

Keep in mind that there is no current cure for glaucoma. Despite this, there are some wellness and natural tips that you can include in your daily routine. These cannot treat the condition but are good to incorporate. Do not blindly go for miracle remedies or fast fixes that you may find. Some of the options available include:

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise promotes blood flow to your body. This is the same for everyone even if you are not suffering from any ailment. It can help keep the negative elements from your body. However, too much exercise also has its consequences that you should look out for. 

 

Healthy Eating

A good eating habit can help keep naturally occurring sicknesses like glaucoma. Certain nutrients in vegetables and fruits can help stay in the condition. Including additional leafy greens in your diet can help. 
 

Some have antioxidants that may keep some of the symptoms at bay. If possible, try to include foods like carrots, peaches, cranberries, radishes, and many more in your meals.

Herbs

Some herbs help with glaucoma in different levels and situations. Some of these herbs include bilberry, ginkgo, forskolin, and more.


 

For more on diagnosing and care for glaucoma, visit Drs. Dobbins & Letourneau Eye Care at our office in Lawrence, Kansas. You can also call (785) 843-5665 to book an appointment today.