January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and the perfect time to familiarize yourself with glaucoma symptoms and treatments to protect your vision. Pay attention to your eyes this month and schedule an exam as only a professional can tell you your eyes are healthy. Glaucoma can affect your vision for the long term so don’t delay.
Although approximately 3 million Americans have Glaucoma, only half of them know they have it. Glaucoma has no symptoms and can only be diagnosed by dilation during a full eye exam. Glaucoma occurs when fluid in the eye cannot fully drain and puts pressure on the optic nerve. The pressure causes damage which if left untreated, can result in loss of vision. Glaucoma is a common condition that affects men and women of all ages.
- intense eye pain
- nausea and vomiting
- a red eye
- a headache
- tenderness around the eyes
- seeing rings around lights
- blurred vision
The first sign that a person may have glaucoma is the loss of peripheral vision, yet even that can go unnoticed for some time. If you see rainbow-colored circles around lights, halos, or are unusually sensitive to light, it could be a sign of glaucoma. Any vision loss, especially if it happens suddenly, should be evaluated by your doctor.
Regular eye checks prevent loss of vision
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the US. It is thought that genetics play a role in Glaucoma and so it is necessary for those who have a family history to get checked every one to two years.
7 Glaucoma Treatments
Once Glaucoma has been diagnosed by a doctor, there are a number of treatment options. The most common treatment is the prescription of eye drops. For many people, a combination of eye drops, and laser treatment helps to control eye pressure.
There are different types of eye drops for treating Glaucoma symptoms, classified by the different active ingredients used.
Lumigan and Travatan are prostaglandin analogs and they increase the outflow of liquid from the eye. The side effects are generally eye-related, such as a change in the growth of eyelashes. At around $40 a bottle when you buy online, it’s not cheap but certainly a very affordable solution.
Alphagan P is an alpha-agonist that both decreases production of fluid in the eye and increases drainage. The drug also contains a purite preservative and is better tolerated by people who have allergic reactions to the preservatives in other eye drops. Alpha agonists can cause burning or stinging sensations, headaches, drowsiness, and fatigue.
Azopt, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, reduces intraocular fluid in order to reduce eye pressure. These drugs can cause burning and sting the eye and general eye discomfort.
Betoptic-S is a beta-blocker that decreases fluid production in the eye, lowering the pressure and helping prevent blindness. Side effects can be reduced by closing the eyes after applying the drops or preventing the drops from entering the tear drainage duct. Beta-blockers sometimes can cause low blood pressure and shortness of breath.
Combigan and Cosopt are combined medications that help patients who need more than one type of medication. Combigan combines an alpha agonist with a beta-blocker whereas Cosopt combines a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with a beta-blocker.
Always make sure to consult with your doctor as to which type of eye drop will best suit you. This is because the drops are absorbed into your bloodstream and could interact with any other medications you may be taking. It is advised to close your eyes for one to two minutes after applying the drops in order to minimize absorption into the bloodstream and increasing the amount of the drug that is actually absorbed by the eye.
Whichever eye drop you end up using, make sure you take it according to your doctor’s instructions for the best results. Glaucoma symptoms are not something to take lightly as your vision is at risk.
Buying Eyedrops for Glaucoma Treatment
Eye drops can get quite expensive especially if your insurance doesn’t cover them. Purchasing from a reputable, online pharmacy can often save you a lot of money on prescription medicine. The eye drops on IsraelPharm.com cost between $25-44 a bottle depending on the type.
There is no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam to take care of your eyes so they’ll take care of you. For all your eye care needs, search eye treatments on IsraelPharm.
