Glaucoma, what is it and how to tell if you've got it
What is glaucoma?
It's a condition that can damage your optic nerve over time due to too much intraocular pressure in your eye. Your optic nerve is the nerve that sends signals from your eye to your brain, which in turn creates the images you see. If the optic nerve is being affected by intraocular pressure, you will begin to experience problems with your vision and could eventually lose your eyesight.
How do you know if you have it?
Often, the first sign of knowing you have glaucoma is the loss of your peripheral vision. At times, glaucoma can also present itself as a quick onset and very painful, throbbing eye pain. Other symptoms of this type of glaucoma called "Acute Closed- or Narrow-Angle Glaucoma" include:
- Blurred vision
- Red eyes
- Foggy vision (ex. halo around lights)
- Dilated pupil
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches on the same side of affected eye
If you are experiencing this type of glaucoma, please be aware that it is considered a "medical emergency" and it is advised that you seek medical attention immediately via emergency or ophthalmologist. If you do not tend to these symptoms in a timely manner there is a possibility of causing damage to the optic nerve within a few hours or up to 12 hours. This could lead to permanent loss of vision or blindness and even a permanently enlarged, dilated pupil.
Medications to talk about with your doctor
If you are diagnosed with glaucoma there are a few prescription eye drops that can be used to reduce symptoms and the intraocular pressure in the eyes:
- Xalatan 0.005% (latanoprost)
- Alphagan P 0.15% (brimonidine tartrate)
- Cosopt 2%/0.5% (dorzolamide/timolol)
- Lumigan 0.3% (bimatoprost)
- Travatan Z 0.004% (travoprost)
- Combigan 0.02%/0.5% (brimonidine/timolol)
- Trusopt 2% (dorzolamide)
- Azopt 1% (brinzolamide)
Talk to your doctor to see if any of these options are suitable for your diagnosis and send in your prescription to us via fax, email or by mail by visiting our website below.
View our pricing online at: https://canadarxconnection.com/usp.php
