Supporting Lloydminster Patients with Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration
At Violet Eyes Optometry, we can offer support, treatment, and information to patients dealing with glaucoma in Lloydminster. We can also assist with macular degeneration. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in Canadians. The term “glaucoma” actually refers to a group of eye diseases that involve the degradation of the optic nerve located at the back of your eye. This nerve is responsible for transmitting visual signals from your eye to your brain, enabling you to see. Degeneration of this nerve can cause vision loss and even blindness.
We’re not completely sure what causes glaucoma. We do know it is associated with high fluid pressure in the eye, but this is not true for all types of the disease. There is no cure for glaucoma, and the blindness is irreversible, but treatments are available if the disease is detected early. The most common form of glaucoma is called open-angle glaucoma; it displays no early symptoms and many people don’t notice they have it until the damage becomes irreversible. This is why regular visits to your optometrist for glaucoma screenings are necessary.
Treatment options for glaucoma are typically medications and surgery. These can lower fluid pressure in the eye. For most cases of glaucoma, using eye drops, medications, or laser surgery are often effective treatments. However, you will have to continue this treatment regimen for the rest of your life and be regularly checked on by an optometrist. If you have any questions or concerns about glaucoma, please let us know.
Macular Degeneration
Age-related Macular Degeneration is when the macula – the centre-most part of the retina – degrades. The macula is responsible for detailed vision, such as reading. A person with macular degeneration will experience blurriness in the centre field of their vision but the edges will be clear. This disorder can be unnoticeable in its early stages but can be detected by an optometrist. There are two sub-types of AMD – dry and wet.
Risk factors for developing AMD include: older age, excessive UV exposure, high blood pressure, smoking, and family history. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, ensuring you consume enough vitamins, wearing sun protection, and regular trips to the optometrist can help you avoid macular degeneration. Treatment for AMD can range from vitamin supplements and lifestyle changes to medication injection directly into the eye; it depends on the type of AMD. Patients can also enhance their vision with low vision aids.
For more information about preventing and treating eye disorders, check out our page on commonly discussed eye conditions. For macular degeneration treatment and glaucoma testing in Lloydminster, book an appointment today with one of our optometrists.