People with low vision have a significant visual impairment that eyeglasses, contact lenses or even eye surgeries can’t correct. Such conditions include loss of visual acuity, tunnel vision and legal blindness. In a recent survey, about 2.3% of individuals ages 16 and older have low vision.
The question is: what causes low vision? Different eye diseases can affect your eyesight, including glaucoma. Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry, a low vision therapy center, explains how this eye condition can cause low vision.
What Causes Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition that affects the eye’s optic nerve due to pressure higher than the eye can tolerate. This affects the transmission of images through the optic nerve, which the brain is supposed to process. Normally, the aqueous humor flows out of your eye through a mesh-like opening. Blockage in this area can cause the liquid to accumulate. Other causes include blunt trauma, chemical injury, infection and blocked blood vessels in the eyes.
What Are the Symptoms?
Glaucoma has two forms. Open-angle glaucoma occurs when the drain structure in the eye doesn’t flow out as it should. People with this type of glaucoma may experience gradual peripheral vision loss and tunnel vision. Angle-closure glaucoma, on the other hand, happens when the eye doesn’t drain adequately because the space between your iris and cornea becomes too narrow. Common symptoms include eye pain, blurred vision, red eyes and halo-like glows around lights. Get in touch with your eye doctor if you experience these symptoms.
How Is Glaucoma Treated?
Glaucoma causes irreversible damage to your vision. Early detection and regular checkups, however, can slow or prevent vision loss. Treatment includes eye drops, oral medications, surgeries and other therapies.
Count on Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry for your medical eye care needs. Apart from low vision therapy, we also offer high-quality eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct other eye conditions. Call us today at (703) 467-9080, or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment. We serve residents of Virginia, including Reston.
