Oral health and skincare seem pretty straightforward. A good diet and steady exercise regimen often go hand-in-hand with physical health. What about eye health, though?
When you notice your vision blurring despite your doctor’s best attempts at matching you with a good eyeglasses and contacts combo, you may be wondering if you’re low on options. Laser eye surgery is a valid resource when you want to keep your eyesight working for you, not against you. This is particularly necessary for anyone showing early signs of glaucoma, a condition that only gets worse with age. If you’re feeling nervous about the possibility of surgery and how it could affect you, consider looking below.
Cataract and refractive surgery is a successful medical procedure that can, quite literally, change the way you look at life.
The Definition Of Glaucoma
What should you know before going into laser eye surgery? Keeping your definitions clear is essential to giving you the most informative conclusion on the matter. While vision loss can be caused by genetics or poor lifestyle habits (such as staring at a computer screen too long without a break), glaucoma is a little different. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, according to the World Health Organization, and is responsible for over 10% of all cases of blindness in the United States.
Rates Of Vision Loss In America
You’re not part of a small minority seeking out solutions for encroaching vision loss. By the time Americans reach the age of 80 over 50% will have either a cataract or have undergone some form of cataract surgery. A cataract can occur in one or both eyes, but contrary to popular belief, it can’t spread from one eye to the other. A survey of over 1,000 afflicted people was done for the Glaucoma Research Foundation recently, finding 75% of respondents stating they want to have their eyes examined every two years.
LASIK Surgery Benefits
Laser eye surgery might be your best chance at restoring your eyesight. The year 2015 alone saw over 20 million LASIK eye surgery procedures performed around the world, with over 595,000 LASIK surgeries performed in the United States. By the time 2020 arrives it’s estimated this number will rise to 715,000. The success rate of cataract surgery has remained steady at nearly 100%. Glaucoma surgery benefits far outweigh the negatives and will give you the boost you need to approach day-to-day life without a hitch.
Signs You Have Glaucoma
Spotting the warning signs early is your best chance of enjoying a successful surgery. According to studies by the Glaucoma Research Foundation there are over three million Americans with the condition, though just half of these people actually know they have it. Vision loss can seem very similar across the board, though some forms of glaucoma include eye pain and difficulties with visual feedback. The best way to know for sure is to reach out to a professional.
Deciding On A Laser Eye Surgery Treatment
It’s scary knowing you’re facing the onset of severe vision loss. This can affect your ability to enjoy your hobbies, read, cook or any number of activities you’ve grown used to. Glaucoma, however, is far from the end. It’s a common condition that sees millions visiting eye doctors and asking for solutions. Laser eye surgery has an extremely high rate of success and can be done for both minor and severe conditions. Glaucoma treatment options can also include eye drops or lifestyle changes.
Would you benefit from glaucoma treatment? Meet with an eye doctor this year and find out.