Differences between Cataracts & Glaucoma From Your Greenville Optometrist
Cataracts and glaucoma are completely different eye diseases diagnosed and managed by our Greenville eye doctors, but they do have a few things in common. First, they’re both leading preventable causes of blindness, with cataracts as the number one cause and glaucoma second or third depending upon the source you consult.
Both eye diseases are also associated with aging, often occurring after age 40. In addition, both conditions show no symptoms early on but can be diagnosed early by our eye doctor in Greenvillewith comprehensive eye examinations at Carolina Vision Care, well before you would notice any signs. Early diagnosis (and early treatment of these eye diseases) is most successful in slowing the progression, limiting the effect on your life, and helping to save your eyesight.
Cataracts Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Eventually, your vision becomes foggy and your eyes may also look clouded from others' point of view.
Dr. Scott McIntosh lists the major causes of cataracts as:
- Increasing age
- The inevitable protein breakdown, which eventually causes the clouding of vision, typically beginning after age 40, but surgery may not be needed until age 60 or more if the disease is treated early on and managed in consultation with your Greenville eye doctor.
- UV exposure (sunlight) may contribute to early onset
- Diabetes may also hasten cataract development
Cataract symptoms are not noticeable at first; however, your optometrist is likely to diagnose the problem during an eye exam. When the eye disease progresses, you will notice blurred or foggy vision, light sensitivity, poor vision in low-light situations (such as a dimly lit restaurant), dulled color vision.
Cataract treatment usually begins with changing/adjusting your eyeglasses prescription, until the cataract becomes bothersome or keeps you from daily activities. Later, cataracts treatment includes removal and new lens insertion to replace it.
Glaucoma Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Glaucoma causes include poor fluid drainage leading to high intraocular pressure (IOP), which in turn leads to damaged retinal nerves. Glaucoma may also occur secondary to other eye diseases/characteristics such as:
- High blood pressure
- Eye injuries
- Chronic eye inflammation
- Diabetes
- Retinal blood vessel blockage
- Thin corneas
- Corticosteroid use
- Dispersed eye pigment,
- African-American, Hispanic or Asian heritage
- Age over 40
- Family member with glaucoma
There are no obvious symptoms of glaucoma initially, but once damage to the retina is significant, you may notice a loss of side vision.Dr, McIntosh of Carolina Vison Care can detect the disease early, usually during your annual comprehensive eye exam.
Warning about rare "Narrow-Angle Glaucoma": This form of glaucoma produces sudden, severe glaucoma symptoms and you should call our emergency phone line or go to the emergency room immediately if you notice: a severe headache and eye pain along with redness, blurry or poor vision, lighted halos around objects and/or nausea, and vomiting.
Glaucoma treatment usually begins with prescription eye drops from your Greenville optometrist that lower eye pressure. If they don't help, our eye doctors may recommend eye surgery.
Contact Carolina Vision Care for More Information Today!
If you are at risk for glaucoma or cataracts, or if you're overdue for an annual eye exam, contact our Greenville eye doctors at Carolina Vision Care. Contact us at 252-752-4380 today.