Glaucoma Treatments
Posted on: 30 August 2017
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The eyes are an amazing organ, and it is pretty incredible exactly how an eye works. However, there are different problems that can arise with the eyes, and glaucoma is one of the most common problems that individuals have to deal with. In fact, it is estimated that over 3 million Americans actually have glaucoma. This condition is also the most common cause of blindness in the United States. There are no cures that are currently available for glaucoma, but there are a few different things that you can do. Here are a few things you should know about glaucoma treatments.
Medicine
One of the most common ways that an ophthalmologist will help treat your glaucoma is by giving you medicine in the form of eye drops. There are a few different roles that the eye drops can play. One way the eye drops can help treat the condition is by helping the fluids drain from your eye. Often the fluids in your eye can get blocked and cause a great deal of pressure in the eye. Other eye drops simply will cause the eye to cut back on the production of fluids, once again in an attempt to keep the pressure of your eyes at a low and constant level.
Laser Surgery
There are many people that need to have surgery for treatment of glaucoma. The reason that laser surgery is needed is to allow the fluid to drain from the eye easier. So, the surgery is meant to create less pressure buildup in the eye. There are two different surgeries that you may go through. The first is where a laser is used to help create a more accessible drainage angle for your eye's fluids. Another type of surgery is where the laser cuts a tiny hole in the iris, once again to allow fluid to flow and decrease pressure in the eye.
Diet And Exercise
Diet and exercise are great ways to stay healthy, but before you make any drastic changes to your diet or exercise routine, you will want to communicate with your doctor. The pressure in your eye is a very big concern and some exercise movements may actually increase the pressure in your eyes. So, talk with your doctor about an exercise routine and a diet that may help decrease the amount of pressure in your eye. Staying healthy through diet and exercise overall can help decrease the pressure in your eyes.