Glaucoma is a condition that affects an estimated 4% of Mexico’s population, with more than half unaware they have it due to the lack of symptoms, according to Mexico’s Ministry of Health. It’s also one of the leading eye conditions, alongside myopia and cataracts.<\/p>\n

So, what exactly is glaucoma? Dr. Lorena Wheelock Guti\u00e9rrez, ophthalmology specialist at ABC Medical Center, explains that it’s the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and refers to either a single optic neuropathy or a group of chronic, degenerative conditions that affect the optic nerve.<\/p>\n

The optic nerve is the “cable” that connects the eye to the brain and transmits visual signals. In glaucoma, this connection is gradually compromised, leading to a loss of visual field and, eventually, blindness.<\/p>\n

Symptoms and Signs of Glaucoma<\/h2>\n

One of the biggest challenges with glaucoma is that it typically causes no symptoms, making it a slowly progressive condition.<\/p>\n

Often, someone with glaucoma doesn’t seek medical attention until they begin noticing vision loss, by which point the damage at that stage of progression is already irreversible.<\/p>\n

Beyond vision loss, some people with glaucoma may experience other symptoms, such as seeing halos around lights or objects, or intense eye pain or pressure that can even cause vomiting. However, these cases are less common, and glaucoma generally has no noticeable symptoms at all.<\/p>\n

Types of Glaucoma<\/h2>\n

\n
• Primary glaucoma: occurs due to a person’s predisposition, whether from an anatomical factor or because the optic nerve is “programmed” to become damaged at some point in adulthood.<\/li>\n
• Secondary glaucoma: results from other causes, such as an eye injury, pigment dispersion in the iris, inflammatory conditions, or the use of certain medications.<\/li>\n
• Congenital glaucoma: occurs in infants and young children, most of whom are born with a malformation in the eye’s drainage system, causing very high eye pressure at birth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Since eye trauma is a known risk factor for developing glaucoma, it’s essential to get a complete eye exam after any blow to the eye, regardless of how minor it may seem, since glaucoma-related damage from an injury can sometimes appear up to 10 years later.<\/p>\n

  Available Treatments for Glaucoma<\/h2>\n

  Like any other chronic condition, treatment for glaucoma helps manage it, but it can’t be cured. The goal of treatment is to lower intraocular pressure to slow disease progression.<\/p>\n

  Depending on how the condition progresses, the specific treatment will vary from case to case and may include eye drops, surgery, laser treatment, or other therapies.<\/p>\n

  Annual eye exams, or more frequent checkups if recommended by the ophthalmologist, can catch this condition before permanent damage occurs. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking, can help reduce the risk of developing glaucoma.<\/p>\n

  At the Conde de Valenciana ABC Ophthalmology Institute, part of ABC Medical Center, we can provide you with specialized care and help you get checked early if you’re at risk for glaucoma. Contact us!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Glaucoma is a condition that affects an estimated 4% of Mexico’s population, with more than half unaware they have it due to the lack of symptoms, according to Mexico’s Ministry of Health. It’s also one of the leading eye conditions, alongside myopia and cataracts. So, what exactly is glaucoma? Dr. Lorena Wheelock Guti\u00e9rrez, ophthalmology specialist […]<\/p>\n

  Read More… from Glaucoma and Its Impact on Eyesight<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":303845,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[947,3003],"tags":[3345,3478,3151],"class_list":["post-619328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-digital-magazine","category-healthy-life","tag-home-care","tag-medical-study","tag-ophthalmology"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n