Glaucoma and Its Most Frequently Diagnosed Forms

The eyes you use to see and absorb the world around you are one of the most vital organs in your body. That’s why keeping them healthy and functioning well is crucial to your overall health. Unfortunately, countless age-related issues, environmental factors, and diseases can inhibit the quality of your vision. One such condition—which you have likely heard of—is called glaucoma, an all-too-common eye condition that can ruin your vision and is the leading cause of blindness in the country. And thankfully, there are a handful of glaucoma treatments available today.

However, what you may have yet to learn is that there are multiple distinct types of glaucoma. The most commonly diagnosed of which are as follows:

Open-Angle Glaucoma

The most common form of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, accounts for an overwhelming majority of glaucoma cases—about 9 in 10 patients who suffer from glaucoma. Those with open-angle glaucoma often show no signs of symptoms until they have already lost a significant level of vision clarity. In addition to a progressing loss of vision, eye pressure is another symptom of this kind of glaucoma, which is caused by an inability to drain fluid out of the eye fast enough.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

This form of glaucoma onset rapidly and is often considered a medical emergency that requires timely glaucoma treatment. Basically, angle-closure glaucoma is caused by a quickly onsetting blockage of your eye’s drainage canals, which creates a massive buildup of eye pressure and can cause complete blindness within days without proper glaucoma treatment.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

In the case of normal-tension glaucoma, it is quite similar to open-angle glaucoma. However, as its name indicates, normal-tension glaucoma inflicts vision damage without the excessive eye pressure experienced with open-angle glaucoma. Despite the pressure difference, they can both be treated with the same mode of glaucoma treatments.

First-Class Glaucoma Treatment in Skokie, IL

Whether you aren’t sure if you have glaucoma but think you might or are actively seeking out glaucoma treatment, your best bet is to reach out to Dr. Stuart Sondheimer at 847-677-2794. Located conveniently in Skokie, IL—just north of Chicago—your return to better vision and healthier eyes could be just a call away.