Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve, which
carries the images we see to the brain, is damaged. The optic nerve is like an
electric cable containing about 1.2 million wires. Glaucoma can damage nerve
fibers, causing blind spots to develop.
Glaucoma develops when pressure builds up in the eye
when the clear liquid called the aqueous humor, which normally flows in and out
of the eye, is prevented from draining properly. This can happen in different
ways, depending on the type of glaucoma. The resulting increase in pressure
within the eye can damage the optic nerve.
The warning signs of glaucoma include:
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blurred vision or "halos" around lights |
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problems focusing on objects |
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difficulty adjusting eyes in dark places |
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frequent change of eyeglasses which doesn't help |
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loss of peripheral vision |
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aching or discomfort around eyes |
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