Glaucoma FAQs

Glaucoma FAQs

Glaucoma is an eye disease that is highly serious. It can rob people of much of their vision or even all of it. It often creates a significant loss of vision, and it's a leading cause of blindness. When a patient has glaucoma, it's essential that it be found as soon as possible in order for it to be treated quickly. Once a patient has a diagnosis of glaucoma, there is treatment available that can stop it from getting worse or slow down its progression. This can help patients to save a lot of their vision. Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it can't be gotten back. That's why early detection and treatment are so important. When you are due for your eye exam from the eye doctor, call our optometry center in Leawood, KS. We offer emergency eye care as well as your annual eye exams. These exams include testing for glaucoma. We at Vision Professionals of Leawood are here to help.

Glaucoma FAQs

What Causes Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is caused when the optic nerve is damaged. This nerve is behind the eye, and it is important to your vision processing. The optic nerve takes images that are seen and sends them to the brain so they can be interpreted. If there is damage to this nerve, it won't get the messages to the brain properly. Damage can be caused to the nerve by having interocular pressure that is too high. Inside the eyes, there is a fluid that is regularly drained and produced again. When there is too much fluid in the eye, the pressure gets too high, and this damages the nerve. It's important to get an eye exam with glaucoma testing every year at our optometry center. 

Why Do People Get High Eye Pressure?

Too much fluid inside the eye causes the high pressure, and this may happen for a couple of reasons. The eyes may simply make this fluid in too high a volume, or the fluid may not be draining as it's supposed to, leading to more building up. In either case, it can cause nerve damage. 

Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?

There are many factors that can make you more at risk of this serious eye disease. If you are 60 or over, you are at higher risk. If it has been found in your family members, you also have a higher risk. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, it's more likely to happen. 

See Our Eye Doctor

If it's time for your eye exam, or you think you may have glaucoma, call our optometry center in Leawood, KS, to make your appointment. We offer eye exams, emergency eye care, and more. We at Vision Professionals of Leawood are here to help. Call us at (913) 239-9446 for more information.

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