The eye is a highly sensitive organ that allows for the sense of sight. It is taken for granted most of the time that when something adversely affects it in any way, the resulting fear of blindness can make one go into a panic attack. The fear of the unknown is tremendous and depression may set in.
Glaucoma is an eye disease marked by increased pressure within the eyeball resulting in damage to the optic disc and gradual loss of vision. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and there is no cure. No one can be spared from this, all are at risk. Unfortunately, symptoms may not exist. Glaucoma is actually a group of diseases. The most common type is hereditary.
Being diagnosed with glaucoma is not the end of the world. Yes, there is no cure. But then there are ways to go around it. Once you get educated on the facts, you will find that there are treatments that can improve your health. Glaucoma can be managed by simply taking oral medications, glaucoma laser surgery, or a combination of both. It is important that an early diagnosis be made as to prevent delay in treatment that may complicate and exacerbate your condition.
Glaucoma laser surgery can help lower the pressure by lowering the production of intraocular fluid or increase the out flow of same. The laser is used to make numerous burns on the surface of the eye to attempt to drain the excess fluid. These buns will create scars that can increase the outflow of the fluid. One treatment may not be enough, and additional glaucoma laser surgery may be needed in the next couple of years. This is not a continuous treatment however as more treatments lower the effectivity of lowering the pressure.
Some patients may feel some tolerable pain. The worst that can ever be felt is the apprehension of actually looking at that light that is piercing. The fear caused by the anticipation is what makes things uncomfortable. The patient has to hold the head steady and no blinking is allowed.
However successful glaucoma laser surgery may be, like any other, there are always risks involved. There can be a temporary increase in pressure, inflammation of the eye and an increased risk in cataract development.
Recovery from glaucoma laser surgery is fairly easy and manageable. There will be the usual do more prescription of medications for relief and a prophylaxis of antibiotics for prevention of infection. The patient is usually advised from bending as this can cause pressure. When taking a shower, the patient should not face the water coming down and must instead turn around and allow the shower to hit the back or arms. Prescription eye drops are administered daily and must be complied with religiously. It is imperative that the doctor give proper post surgery recovery instructions as some may actually do more damage by ignoring the precautions.
If for some reason there is failure in treatment and gradual blindness is inevitable, there are other ways to get on with life. Millions of people are blind all over the world and they still manage to get through with life at ease. Maybe not what seeing people are used to. A change in lifestyle and learning how to cope with blindness is the best alternative to take.