Why Your Eye Doctor Tests For Glaucoma Every Time You Visit

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Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and left untreated—starting with not being diagnosed—it can lead to vision loss and even blindness. One of the most concerning aspects of glaucoma is that it typically shows no symptoms in its early stages. While you may have thought your optometrist just wants to torture you when testing for glaucoma in Pittsburgh, PA, that things is that regular testing is essential to detect and manage the disease before it causes irreversible damage. This is why your eye doctor tests for glaucoma every time you visit. It’s a good idea that can help keep you from losing your eyesight!

The Importance of Regular Testing

Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” because it can progress without noticeable symptoms. You may not have any sign at all that something’s amiss. By the time you experience vision changes, the damage may already be severe. Regular glaucoma tests allow your eye doctor to catch the condition in its early stages when treatments are most effective.

Types of Glaucoma Tests

During your eye exam, your doctor may use several tests to check for glaucoma. The most common is tonometry, which measures the pressure inside your eye. This is the one that people hate most; the surprise blast of air directed at the eye. Another test, called ophthalmoscopy, allows the doctor to examine your optic nerve for signs of damage. Visual field testing measures peripheral vision, which is often affected first in glaucoma. Gonioscopy helps assess the angle where the iris meets the cornea to determine the type of glaucoma.

Since glaucoma can’t be cured, early detection is vital to preserving your vision. By testing for glaucoma at every visit, your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA ensures that any changes are caught promptly, allowing for early treatment and a better chance of protecting your sight.

 Tips to Prevent Glaucoma Later in Life

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If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma in Greensburg, PA, you know how scary this condition can be. Glaucoma is a stealthy eye disease that creeps up on people with very few evident symptoms. This is why it’s so important to get glaucoma screening tests every time you visit your optometrist. At Lappen Eye Care, we want all our patients to have the best possible eye health. Here are some tips that young people can do to avoid glaucoma later in life.

Get Regular Eye Exams

Just because you have no discernible eye problems doesn’t necessarily mean there are no developing eye problems going on. Regular eye exams will help you and your eye doctor to stay on top of your eye health. This way, any new eye issues can be quickly caught, diagnosed and treated, without them turning into something more serious, such as glaucoma.

Protect Your Eyes

Chronic UV ray exposure has been linked to a higher incidence of glaucoma rates. Even though Pennsylvania doesn’t see as much sunshine as states farther south, there remains a need to protect your eyes from the sun in both the summer and the winter. In summer, people tend to spend more time outdoors. But in winter, the sun’s glare on snow and on car windows can create a danger of UV exposure. We recommend wearing polarized sunglasses year-long, that offer 100% UV protection.

Avoid Smoking and Excess Drinking

Smoking and drinking severely restrict your immune system function. If you smoke, consider looking for ways to quit. If you tend to drink more than you should, consider finding ways to cut down or quit. These two things alone will go a long way toward preventing glaucoma later in life.

For more information about the dangers of glaucoma, or to schedule your next eye exam, contact your Greensburg, PA optometrist today.

Is Glaucoma Hereditary?

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Glaucoma can have hereditary factors. A family history of glaucoma increases the risk of developing the condition, especially if the family history is a first-line relative like a parent. Genetic factors play a significant role, and individuals with a family history need to have regular eye exams in Greensburg, PA to monitor for signs of glaucoma so treatment can be targeted with a proactive approach. Take a look at how genetics may affect your likelihood of developing glaucoma below.

Understanding the Hereditary Nature of Glaucoma

Certain genes have been linked to an increased risk of glaucoma, which suggests a hereditary component of this common eye disease. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, the genes associated with certain forms of glaucoma include FOXC1, PITX3, MAF, LMX1B, FOXE3, PITX2, and PAX6. Therefore, if a close family member has glaucoma, your chances of developing it may be higher, even though several other risk factors should also be considered.

Other Risk Factors for Developing Glaucoma

While family genetics may be important when it comes to glaucoma, several other known risk factors exist, including:

  • Age: Individuals over 60 are at higher risk.
  • Ethnicity: African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians are more susceptible.
  • High eye pressure: Elevated intraocular pressure increases the risk.
  • Certain health conditions: Uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease may contribute.
  • Previous eye injuries: Trauma to the eye can increase the risk of glaucoma.
  • Long-term use of corticosteroids: Extended use can elevate the likelihood of developing glaucoma.

Discuss Your Risks with an Experienced Greensburg Eye Doctor

Knowing your family’s eye health history is crucial when it comes to monitoring for certain eye diseases. Individuals with a family history of glaucoma should inform their Greensburg eye doctor to ensure proper monitoring and early intervention.

How Long Will My Vision Last With Glaucoma?

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Glaucoma is a serious, degenerative eye condition, and one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. It’s part of a group of eye diseases where the optic nerve is damaged. Each case is different, and the impact of glaucoma on vision varies significantly among individuals. One thing is certain; early detection is a huge factor in the success rates of treatment. If you suspect you have it, seek diagnosis and glaucoma treatment in Pittsburgh, PA.

How Long Will My Vision Last With Glaucoma?

Your eye doctor will become an integral part of your glaucoma management. Unfortunately, the damage caused by glaucoma isn’t reversible. However early intervention can help to control or stop its progression. How long your vision lasts with glaucoma is also dependent upon what type you have, and the severity. Open-angle glaucoma comes on slowly with few symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. Angle-closure glaucoma often develops rapidly and causes immediate symptoms.

Treatment For Glaucoma

You’ll work closely with your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA to manage your glaucoma. Treatment may include medical eye care, eye drops, medications, laser treatments, or surgery to lower intraocular pressure (IOP). Your treatment plan will be customized to meet your individual needs.

Results With Treatment

Every individual will respond to glaucoma treatment differently. But the more you follow your eye doctor’s instructions, the better the outcome you can expect. Some people may experience rapid progression of the disease despite treatment. Others might be able to enjoy a relatively stable vision for many years.

It’s important to remain hopeful despite a diagnosis of glaucoma. With regular eye doctor appointments, lifestyle adjustments and closely adhering to the doctor’s treatment protocol, you can have the best vision possible with the disease. For more information, please contact our office.

At Risk for Glaucoma? Signs to Watch For

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Glaucoma is a condition that can do lasting damage to your eyes. In fact, glaucoma that is caught too late can cause permanent vision loss. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, but some people have a higher level of risk than others. Seeing an eye doctor in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area on a regular basis can help protect you from this condition.

Who Is At Risk?

Many people are at risk for glaucoma. Below are some of the characteristics that can put you at particular risk for this condition:

  • Members of your family have had glaucoma
  • You have diabetes
  • You’ve been taking steroids for a long time
  • You’re over age 40
  • You have an old eye injury
  • You have low blood pressure or high blood pressure
  • You’re of Latino, African, Asian, and Hispanic descent

 

Signs of Glaucoma

The signs of glaucoma can be subtle, and depending on the type of glaucoma, there may be no signs at all until some vision loss has already occurred. If you have glaucoma, here’s what to watch for:

  • Eye pain
  • Patchy blind spots
  • Nausea
  • Halos around lights
  • Severe headache or eye pain

 

Why It’s Important to See the Eye Doctor

It’s very important to catch glaucoma in its early stages. Catching it late could mean vision loss, and these effects cannot be reversed. The Glaucoma Foundation recommends that everyone over 40 years old see their eye doctor for a comprehensive vision exam every three to four years.

Do you need an eye exam in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area? The professionals at Lappen Eye Care can help. We provide comprehensive vision exams to patients. Call today to make an appointment.

Do Ultra-Processed Foods Cause Glaucoma?

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There was a recent study performed that showed a potential link between ultra-processed foods and glaucoma, which may lead people to ask if a diet rich in these foods could cause the condition. We’ll look at the facts of the case, and why it’s important to watch what you eat if you want to protect your eyes. 

Blood Glucose Levels 

The study saw that the association between glaucoma and ultra-processed foods was notable in both men and older adults. The hypothesis from researchers was that ultra-processed foods increase blood glucose levels, which could lead to this notorious nerve disorder. The study pointed out sweet foods as a particular culprit. 

Lifestyle and Glaucoma 

Glaucoma in Pittsburgh, PA, is a particularly tricky disease. It’s hard to know who will develop it and how badly it will manifest in the individual. There are also no guarantees when it comes to prevention. Unfortunately, some people can lead perfectly healthy lives and still end up with fluid issues and subsequent nerve damage. 

Regardless of these uncertainties, there have been enough studies done to draw a link between unhealthy lifestyle choices and glaucoma. Cutting back on processed foods, getting more sleep, and getting more exercise can all have a huge impact on your overall well-being and may reduce your odds of developing glaucoma. 

Glaucoma in Pittsburgh, PA 

If you’re looking for an optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA, with enough experience to treat your ever-changing eyes, it’s important to look for a staff with the best reputation. At Lappen Eye Care, with locations in Pittsburgh, McMurray, and Greensburg, our practice is built to help your vision thrive. Whether you could stand to make a few changes to your diet or not, we’re here to help you keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

3 Things to Do Today to Lower Your Risk of Glaucoma

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When you initially seek glaucoma management in Greensburg, PA, one of the first things the eye doctor will discuss with you is lifestyle changes to make to lower the risk of the disease getting worse. However, if you are already at risk of glaucoma, you can be proactive by making changes that may lower your risks.

Embrace a Healthy Diet: Nutrition’s Role in Eye Health
Nutrition and eye health are closely related, and your overall nutritional intake can affect the likelihood of developing glaucoma. Therefore, make sure you follow a solid nutritional health plan that includes the vitamins and minerals your eyes need to stay healthy.

Increase Physical Activity: Exercise Your Way to Lower Eye Pressure
Exercise is extremely important for overall physical health and for lowering the risk of glaucoma. It enhances blood flow, which in turn can lower the pressure in the eyes.

Prioritize Regular Eye Check-ups: The Key to Early Detection
The sooner signs of glaucoma or heightened ocular pressure are detected, the less likely glaucoma will adversely affect your vision. Be proactive about visiting an eye doctor routinely for a comprehensive eye exam. The doctor will conduct an eye pressure test to determine whether your risks are growing and offer interventional treatment strategies that could help.

Discuss Glaucoma with a Greensburg Eye Doctor
If you are concerned about your risks of glaucoma, be sure to reach out to an eye doctor in Greensburg, PA for advice. Contact the team at Lappen Eye Care to schedule an appointment.

Is There a Link Between Glaucoma and Diet?

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When it comes to nutrition, it’s easy to find endless claims about which foods are the best and how different diets correlate to different disorders. Of course, what isn’t easy is deciphering which claims to follow. If you’re wondering if you can prevent glaucoma by changing up your dinner, we’ll look at what you should know about the two.

Glaucoma and Nutrition
The long and short is that there is no direct link between glaucoma and nutrition, though there does seem to be some correlation. The standard advice is to eat foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants because they protect against oxidative stress that may lead to optic nerve damage. This includes many fruits and veggies, preferably leafy greens like chard, kale, or spinach. You might also consider adding in nuts, fish, and black beans into the mix.

Fast Facts about Your Optic Nerves
Glaucoma occurs when the fluids in your eye build up, putting too much pressure on the optic nerve. The first few symptoms tend to be blind spots in the field of vision, largely because the fluids in your eye aren’t flowing and draining as well as they once did. There are different types of glaucoma, with some progressing far more rapidly than others. No matter how healthy your diet is, it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your vision and schedule an eye appointment in Pittsburgh, PA, as soon as possible.

Eye Exams in Pittsburgh
Regular eye exams can catch early signs of glaucoma, especially when you visit the same facility year after year. If you’re looking for an optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA, who can monitor how your eyes change, the staff at Lappen Eye Care is here to help.

My Mother Had Glaucoma – Does This Mean I Am At Risk?

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Glaucoma is a condition that can cause serious damage to your eyes and even loss of vision. However, many people who have glaucoma are able to control their symptoms. Knowing whether you’re at risk and seeing your eye doctor in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area is important. If you had a parent who had glaucoma, then it’s important to know your risk level and what you should do to take care of your eyes.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve, usually due to pressure buildup inside the eye.

Is Glaucoma Hereditary?

If your immediate family members have had glaucoma, then you are also at strong risk of glaucoma yourself.

Who Is At Risk for Glaucoma?

People who are at risk for glaucoma include:

  • People older than 55 years old
  • People with a family history of glaucoma
  • People who are black, Hispanic or Asian heritage
  • People who have had an eye injury
  • People who suffer from extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
  • People who have been diagnosed with conditions like migraines, high blood pressure and diabetes

What Are the Signs of Glaucoma?

Sometimes, glaucoma has no symptoms at all in the early stages. However, if you have glaucoma, you may notice problems like severe eye pain, blurring vision, severe headaches, halos around lights, gradual vision loss, and patchy blind spots. If you notice any of these symptoms or a sudden change in your vision, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

How Can I Avoid Glaucoma?

While you can’t prevent glaucoma, you can see the eye doctor regularly to get examined for this condition. If your eye doctor catches it early, they could slow the progress of the condition to help save your vision.

Are you at risk for glaucoma? If you are, it’s important to get regular eye exams in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. Call Lappen Eye Care today to make your next eye appointment.

Glaucoma Vs. Cataracts: Understanding the Two Conditions

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Glaucoma and cataracts are two common optical conditions, and because they’re both experienced by older people, they have a way of being confused. We’ll look at how they affect the eye and what people should know about keeping them at bay.

The Two Conditions

Glaucoma in Pittsburgh, PA, is a type of nerve damage, one that’s usually caused by too much pressure in the eyeball. The more fluid there is, the more strain it will put on the nerve. Cataracts are a type of lens damage, one that’s usually caused by the standard aging process. What was once a clear lens over the eye, helping people see in crystal clarity, can become yellowed over time. Both conditions can result in vision loss, so it’s important to have a handle on how your eyesight changes over time.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of glaucoma and cataracts have some degree of overlap. For both, it’s common to have blurry vision or sensitivity in the eye. The main difference is that the pressure of glaucoma is likely to manifest in a headache or a halo effect around lights. In general, neither condition requires emergency treatment, with the exception being angle-closure glaucoma. This results in intense and sudden pain, visual disturbance, and nausea.

See an Optometrist in McMurray, PA

If you want to determine your risk level for either condition or catch the problem as early as possible, it starts with seeing the right optometrist. With optometry offices in Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and McMurray, the staff at Lappen Eye Care is here to monitor your eyes over time. We can also give you anything from diet tips to lifestyle changes that may help curb your odds of developing either condition.