Can Glaucoma Affect Young Adults Too? What Your Eyes May Not Tell You
Although glaucoma is sometimes regarded as an eye condition that is mostly a disease of old age, can it occur in young adults? The short answer is yes. Glaucoma is all too frequently regarded as a chronic condition of the aging population, the circumstance in which it is most prevalent, but younger individuals are still at risk.
The tricky part is that in initial stages, glaucoma can have no symptoms. You could be reading, using your laptop, driving, and using your phone just fine while the changes are happening inside your eye. The optic nerve that relays visual information from the eye to the brain is damaged in glaucoma and when this damage occurs to the visual system, it is irreversible.
What Does Glaucoma Feel Like?
Initially glaucoma may be asymptomatic. One reason glaucoma may go undiagnosed is that it may affect peripheral, or side vision first. As the disease progression may be slow, many may not have realised their vision has changed.
That's exactly the reason why sharp vision does not necessarily mean everything is well with your eyes. A detailed eye check-up might reveal some problems that you might fail to discover yourself.
Can Young Adults Be at Risk?
Age is just one risk factor. If you have a family history of glaucoma you are at risk, as are certain eye conditions, previous eye injuries, extreme myopia (very short- sightedness), and some medications, which can increase the risk of some types of glaucoma.
This does not mean that if you have one of these risk factors that you will develop glaucoma. It does mean that you need to be extra vigilant with your regular eye care.
If you need glasses to help you see throughout the day, these can be purchased in many different types of comfortable eyeglasses, based on what type of prescription you need and what is comfortable for you. Remember: glasses will only help your vision and they do not tell you anything about glaucoma.
What About Phones and Screens?
If you spend a lot of time staring at your mobile or computer you may feel that your eyes are tired, dry, or irritable. But using your screen is not the same as glaucoma.
Practical eyewear makes it easier to go through a busy day if you are constantly changing from one task to another. One option that may be very practical on a day to day basis is the Clip On Rectangular Eyeglasses, which although not designed for mitigation or treatment of glaucoma, may be a good alternative for someone who has lots of uses for their frames.
Rest your eyes by taking breaks from screens throughout the day, blinking frequently and having your screen at a comfortable distance.
When Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?
Ask your eye-care professional, if you have a family history of glaucoma, have had an injury to the eye or been told you are at a higher risk, how often you need a comprehensive eye examination.
A sudden onset of really bad pain in the eyes, inflammation of the eye, reduced vision, feeling sick or actually being sick.
People who are at their computers for a long period might want to look into anti-glare computer glasses to make looking at a screen more comfortable, but this should not be looked at as a protective device against glaucoma.
Take Your Eye Health Seriously
Having clear vision today does not necessarily mean that you don't have any eye problems. As glaucoma can occur without noticeable symptoms, knowing your risk factors and having suitable eye screenings can save your vision.
While outdoors, your sunglasses are sure to make bright sunlight easier on your eyes, but sunglasses and all other eyewear are not a replacement for a comprehensive eye examination.
The most effective strategy? Keep an eye on your vision, be aware of your family history, and visit an eye-care practitioner should you be worried. Glasses can help you have comfortable vision, glaucoma is a medical condition needing treatment.