Glaucoma is a disease .......

...that affects the eyes and if not treated can permanently damage the optical nerve which can result in blindness and loss of vision. This article will detail a few Glaucoma therapy treatments available and the advantages and disadvantages regarding each.
The damage caused by glaucoma is commonly caused by a high intra-ocular pressure. This pressure is provided by a clear liquid, aqueous humor, which flows through the eye helps to maintain and nourish the tissue within the eye. In circumstances where the production of this liquid is increased and the methods for drainage are decreased damage occurs to the nerves and peripheral sight is lost, this effect is called Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG).
A way to treat this form OAG is to assist in lowering the pressure within the eye, the treatment for this is usually through eye drops, laser therapy or surgery.
The most common Glaucoma therapy treatments are the eye drops, the disadvantages for using eye drops are that they can be expensive, messy and can have side effects. In addition to this depending on the severity of the OAG you may need to use them for the remainder of your life. Some of these drops assist in draining the fluid whilst others act to reduce the amount of fluid produced, the effect being the same.
Lasers also can be used for Glaucoma therapy. This technique is called laser therapy. Laser therapy uses lasers to target the cells in the eye which contain melanin which is a natural pigment. The body will then act to repair the damaged cells and as an effect of this will decrease the pressure that has built up within the eye.

Glaucoma as stated can cause permanent loss of vision if it is not treated. There is no way to determine whether the glaucoma has been successfully controlled and as such if you have this condition you should make regular trips to your GP to ensure it does not get out of control.

Eight Easy Ways to Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Safe .

Have you ever wished the human body came with a manual? I know I have. When we're told we have to take care of our eyes or we'll have degraded eyesight over time, or worse, we're not often told what we can do to keep our eyes happy and healthy. Well, there are eight easy ways you can do just that. And they are:

1.

Protect your eyes against the UV rays from the sun: This can be achieved by wearing sunglasses that have 100% UVA and UVB protection. Studies have shown that UV exposure contributes to cataract formation, macular degeneration, and pinguecula and pterygia, which are unsightly growths on the surface of the eye that distort vision.

2.

Take frequent breaks when working on a computer: When working on a computer, we blink less often. This leads to dry eye syndrome, which can be irritating as well as cause visual disturbance. Instilling lubricating drops can keep your eyes more comfortable. And, a good rule of thumb to limit eyestrain is to look beyond 20 feet every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.

3.

Replace make-up on a regular basis: This will keep it free from bacterial growth and avoid infections of the eyes, as well as the eyelids.

4.

If you wear contact lenses, remove and replace your lenses as directed by your eye care provider: This will minimize protein buildup on the lenses, which could lead to decreased amounts of oxygen to the cornea and decreased comfort of the lenses. Proper compliance will also significantly decrease chances of infections.

5.

Always wear safety glasses which are ANSI approved while using power tools, working in the yard, and when using any chemicals.

6.

Eat foods high in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables: Foods containing antioxidants along with zinc have been shown to delay the progression of advanced macular degeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids were shown to help improve dry eye symptoms.

7.

Do not smoke: Smoke is an irritant and also increases the chance of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

8.

Get your eyes examined every 12 months: Serious eye conditions are usually detected before the patient has any visual complaints. Many eye diseases, if detected early enough, can be treated successfully without significant vision loss.