Watch Out for the Signs of Glaucoma with Help from Our Eye Doctor in Columbia, SC

Being diagnosed with glaucoma can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the condition and its symptoms. Our team at Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates in Columbia, SC, specializes in diagnosing and treating glaucoma so you can prevent long-term, irreversible damage. Understanding the most common signs and symptoms associated with glaucoma can help you determine when the time is right for you to schedule an appointment with an optometrist in Columbia, SC, near you.

Types of Glaucoma

There are four main types of glaucoma and understanding the differences between them is critical for proper treatment. People can have one of these types of glaucoma: 

•             Open-Angle: Open-angle closure glaucoma is the most common type of condition, progressing slowly and oftentimes going unnoticed until an individual is experiencing significant vision loss.

•             Normal-Tension: This is a kind of open-angle glaucoma; however, it occurs in people with normal levels of eye pressure rather than those with high levels.

•             Angle-Closure: Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency where fluid and eye pressure rapidly build up. This can cause intense pain and should be treated with a visit to the emergency room.

•             Congenital: This occurs when a baby is born with a problem in the eyes that limits fluid drainage. If treated quickly there will be no permanent vision loss.

Signs of Glaucoma

There are a few early signs of glaucoma and knowing how to spot them can help limit the impact glaucoma has on your life. The first and easiest to realize is a loss of peripheral vision over time. The other major sign of a risk for glaucoma development is an increase in intraocular pressure. This pressure is what causes the damage and the slow increase of this can alert you and your eye doctor to a risk for glaucoma.

Symptoms of Advanced Glaucoma

Traditionally, glaucoma may not show any signs or indicators until the condition has progressed, advanced glaucoma is more likely to manifest in the following ways:

•             Blurred/Distorted Vision: You may notice that your vision is more blurry or cloudy than usual because of optic nerve damage.

•             Eye Pain: It is common to experience eye pain or discomfort along with vomiting, headaches, and digestive issues, especially with angle-closure glaucoma.

•             Tunnel Vision: Your peripheral vision may worsen over time, resulting in tunnel vision.

•             Halos Around Lights: Noticing bright halos or rings of lights around objects can indicate glaucoma.

Identifying these symptoms and understanding your risk for glaucoma can help prevent serious vision loss.

Call Us Today for Care from Our Optometrists Near You in Columbia, SC

If you need an eye doctor in Columbia SC, turn to Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates for optometrists you can trust. To learn more about glaucoma or to schedule your appointment, call us at (803)-254-6306. You will see the difference our care makes!