Glaucoma FAQs in Warren, OH

Glaucoma occurs when your optic nerve is damaged due to fluid buildup that puts pressure on the nerve. As the nerve is damaged, it can lead to vision loss. To prevent vision loss, seeking treatment that lowers intraocular pressure, or IOP, is crucial.

There are two types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle. Closed-angle glaucoma can have many symptoms, including blurry vision, headache, and nausea. However, open-angle glaucoma is more common and presents no signs until it is advanced. Due to this, it is essential to schedule regular checkups to examine your eye pressure, especially if you fall into the high-risk category.

Certain factors increase your risk for glaucoma. Some of these risk factors include:

• Being age 40 and older
• Family history of glaucoma
• Thin corneas
• Certain health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or migraines
• Having extreme farsightedness or nearsightedness

There are some steps you can take to prevent glaucoma. For example, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure, and quitting smoking can lower your eye pressure. Also, manage your stress levels and limit caffeine intake to maintain normal eye pressure.

Our ophthalmologists will perform regular screenings to check your intraocular pressure when you visit us. If your eye pressure is increasing, we can prescribe medication or eye drops to lower it.