Do I Need Glaucoma Testing If It Doesn’t Run in My Family?

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Glaucoma is largely tied to genetics, which can lead people to put off testing if they don’t have a history in their family. Here, we’ll look at other risk factors for glaucoma, and why it’s so important to get regular testing once you pass the age of 40.

What Causes Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the result of optic nerve pressure. The more fluid that backs up in the eye, the harder it will be for the eye to function. If you’re wondering what causes the fluid pressure in the first place, though, this question is much harder to answer. There are risk factors for glaucoma, including genetic history, race, and age, but the reality is that eye doctors in Coldwater, MS may not be able to tell you the exact root cause of your glaucoma.

Why Is Testing Important?

There is no hard-and-fast cure for glaucoma in Coldwater, MS, but early testing can help you slow the progression. With the right treatments, which can include anything from eyedrops to surgery, you may be able to keep some or even all of your vision. Glaucoma testing typically consists of tonometry, which will check the pressure on your nerve. This test can tell the eye doctor not just whether you have symptoms, but how quickly the disorder advances if you have it.

Glaucoma Treatments in Coldwater

The goal of glaucoma treatments is to reduce the amount of fluid or to speed up the body’s ability to drain the fluid. For instance, with glaucoma surgery, the surgeon will create a new drainage pathway. If you take medication, it will work to dry up the fluids. The right one for you doesn’t just depend on your personal preferences, it comes down to the severity of your symptoms. Surgery may be the only solution if the fluid backup is severe enough.

If you have questions about glaucoma, it helps to see an eye doctor who can answer your questions without fear mongering. Glaucoma may be common, but it certainly doesn’t happen to everyone. Plus, even if it does, it may not always be a severe case. At Coldwater Vision Center, we can give you more information about how to structure your eye exams so you don’t miss a thing.

Can I Have Glaucoma and Cataracts at the Same Time?

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Cataracts and glaucoma are two very common eye conditions that typically happen to older people. Because the two share some similarities, it’s not uncommon to get the two confused. However, these are two distinctly different disorders, so it’s important to separate their symptoms and aftermath so you can understand how they work. It’s also important to have frequent eye exams in Coldwater, MS, so your optometrist can catch any burgeoning signs before they have the chance to spin out of control. We’ll look at what they are, their treatments, and how the right eye doctor can help with both.

Is It Normal to Develop Cataracts and Glaucoma at the Same Time?

Because the two disorders affect different parts of the eye, it is possible to get the two at the same time. Cataracts are an eye lens issue, one where the lens is clouded or yellowed over time. Glaucoma is an optic nerve issue, one that can distorts how images are carried from the eye to the brain. The two conditions are independent of one another, and it’s entirely normal for people with glaucoma to also have cataracts.

If you have age-related cataracts, the most likely scenario, the issue may have taken place over the span of many years. For glaucoma, you’re likely to notice the effects earlier, given the nerve damage. This is why it’s so important to visit the right eye doctor in Coldwater, MS. They can tell you more about how to stop each disorder from progressing.

Treating Eye Disorders in Coldwater

The best treatment for cataracts and glaucoma is typically surgery. Some people will have surgeries for both disorders in one appointment, a decision that can limit their number of appointments and the recovery needed for each one. If you’re looking for an optometrist in Coldwater, MS who can help you learn more about how these conditions work, the staff at Coldwater Vision Center can tell you everything you want to know. These conditions may be entirely normal, but left undetected and untreated, they can eventually have a major impact on your quality of life. Contact us today to learn more about how eye exams can help you stop the progression sooner than later.