4 Treatable Causes of Eye Floaters
Small blank or dark spots in your vision can be annoying, but when is it time to worry about these “floaters”? Many causes of eye floaters are treatable if correctly diagnosed in time.
How to Prevent Glaucoma Complications
Glaucoma encompasses a range of eye conditions related to intraocular pressure (IOP). Pressure inside the eye can build over time, causing damage to different parts of your eye. Glaucoma is considered to be the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.
Our eye health specialists at Ventura Eye Institute in Camarillo, California, have the knowledge and technology to identify and treat glaucoma. In addition, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of complications.
Glaucoma: the sneaky thief of vision
One of the biggest problems with glaucoma is how slow the onset is, so many people don’t realize they are losing their vision until their condition is very advanced.
People at the highest risk for glaucoma are over the age of 60, of Afro-Caribbean descent, female, nearsighted, or farsighted, or who have a family history of glaucoma. Glaucoma starts small, gradually damaging the optic nerve and retina as pressure inside your eye rises.
Eventually, if not stopped, this rising eye pressure can cause enough damage to cause you to fully lose sight in the affected eye(s). That’s why preventive measures are so important.
Preventing glaucoma complications
There are many things you can do to help protect against glaucoma-related vision loss.
Get screened early and often
If you’re in one or more groups at higher risk for glaucoma, start getting screened early, at age 40 or 50, even if you notice any vision issues. Catching glaucoma early gives you the best outlook.
Avoid long-term steroid use if possible
Some medical conditions are treated with a series of steroid applications, either orally, by injection, or even as eye drops. Long-term use can increase your risk of glaucoma, so talk with your doctor about managing your risk.
Eat right, sleep right
Leafy greens and colorful fruits, veggies, and berries can improve overall eye health. You should also get adequate sleep, without mashing your eyes against a pillow or your arm. Keep your head elevated and not hanging over, as blood rushing to your head can raise your eye pressure.
Wear sunglasses
Too much sun exposure can make your eyes more vulnerable to glaucoma and potential vision loss. Wear sunglasses when possible to prevent overexposure and safeguard your vision.
Taking these steps can help you prevent some complications of glaucoma, as can regular visits with your eye doctor to track your vision and test your IOP.
At Ventura Eye Institute, we help you find answers about vision loss or complications from eye diseases like glaucoma. Call 805-388-1211 or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment.
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