Posted by: Associates in Ophthalmology (NJ) in Eyes
Glaucoma is a common eye condition that can silently damage your vision. Many people who have experienced vision loss due to glaucoma wonder if they will ever be able to restore their vision.
Keep reading to learn more about glaucoma, including whether or not glasses can help restore vision loss from glaucoma!
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a complex and progressive eye condition that often develops with little to no warning signs in its early stages. It is characterized by the gradual damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.
In those with glaucoma, this damage is often due to an increase in eye pressure, also called intraocular pressure or IOP, which can result from a buildup of aqueous humor. Aqueous humor is the fluid that fills the front part of the eye.
There are various forms of glaucoma, with primary open-angle glaucoma being the most common. Other types of glaucoma include angle-closure glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma, which can result from injury, inflammation, or other medical conditions.
How Does Glaucoma Damage Vision?
The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual signals from the light-sensitive retina to the brain, where they are processed to form the images you see. Glaucoma typically initially affects peripheral vision, which is your side vision or what you see out of the corner of your eye.
Peripheral vision loss from glaucoma occurs because the nerve fibers responsible for peripheral vision are located on the outer edges of the optic nerve. Over time, if left untreated, glaucoma can lead to further vision loss, eventually affecting the central vision and potentially causing blindness.
The best way to prevent vision loss and stop the progression of the eye condition is to reduce eye pressure.
Can Glasses Help Improve Vision Loss From Glaucoma?
While glasses and contact lenses are essential tools for correcting refractive errors, they will not be able to correct any vision damage caused by glaucoma. These types of visual aids can significantly improve visual acuity caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, making objects appear clearer and more defined.
However, they cannot reverse the underlying nerve damage caused by glaucoma. Those with glaucoma may still benefit from visual aids to address any refractive errors they may have.
Regular eye exams are crucial for those with glaucoma to ensure that any changes in their vision are properly monitored and managed.
Is Vision Loss From Glaucoma Permanent?
Unfortunately, any vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible. The damage to the optic nerve fibers cannot be reversed through medication or surgery.
Early detection and prompt treatment are needed to slow down the progression of this eye condition and preserve as much vision as possible. Medications, laser therapy, and surgical procedures are commonly used to manage glaucoma and lower intraocular pressure, but they do not restore lost vision.
If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, your eye doctor at Associates in Ophthalmology will develop a treatment plan to help lower eye pressure to prevent further vision loss. In most cases, eye drops are the first treatment method prescribed to help reduce eye pressure.
Regular eye exams are essential for early detection of glaucoma. Since glaucoma doesn’t typically present many symptoms in the early stages, early detection can prevent significant vision loss.
Are you experiencing vision changes? Schedule an appointment at Associates in Ophthalmology in Livingston, NJ, today!
