Eye and vision disorders are prevalent, with over 12 million people 40 years and older in the United States being diagnosed with one every year. However, just because they are common doesn't mean they should be ignored. Some eye disorders are more serious than others, such as glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss, so it's important to talk to your eye doctor about treatment options. At Child & Family Eyecare in Wichita, we strive to provide our patients the testing and eye care they need to maintain their vision and eye health for years to come. Our optometrists can test for glaucoma during a routine eye exam and provide the necessary care to properly manage the condition.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause damage to the eye's optic nerve. This nerve is responsible for helping the eye process images, and damage to this nerve is irreversible. Glaucoma has various causes, including:

• Genetic factors, as glaucoma tends to run in families
• High eye pressure due to improper draining of fluids in the eye
• Physical abnormalities, as children can also be diagnosed with the condition if they are born with glaucoma
• Trauma or previous injury to the eye

How Can My Optometrist Detect Glaucoma?

Through imaging tests and comprehensive eye exams, our eye doctor will determine whether or not you have glaucoma. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we can test how far the disease has progressed.

Unfortunately, glaucoma can lead to vision loss if left untreated. To prevent this from occurring, it's essential to visit our eye doctors if you have increased risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of glaucoma. It's also important to get tested for glaucoma if you notice symptoms, such as:

• Severe headaches
• Eye pain
• Floaters
• Vision loss
• Dark vision
• Spots in your vision
• Tunnel vision
• Eye redness
• Glares around light

How An Eye Doctor Can Help

Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma. However, we can prescribe treatments to manage the progression and symptoms of the disease. Glaucoma treatment involves medication such as eye drops prescribed by your eye doctor. These eye drops can help lower the pressure in your eye that leads to glaucoma. Our eye doctors will determine what kind of treatment you need during your next appointment.

Visit Us for Glaucoma Testing in Wichita

Glaucoma can be a scary condition to live with, but with the right optometrist, you can get the help you need to prevent glaucoma from seriously impacting your life. Call Child & Family Eyecare at (316) 721-8877 today to book your next eye appointment in Wichita, KS.