Regular eye exams are important to good health, say optometrists. “Routine eye examinations are absolutely crucial. The earlier we intervene, the better we can prevent vision loss.”

An estimated 4 million Americans are currently living with glaucoma, a crippling eye disease. However, about half of them don’t know they have it. Glaucoma is caused by pressure in the eye, which results in a slow loss of peripheral vision, which cannot be recovered. However, with regular eye exams, optometrists can catch early symptoms, and significantly slow the advance of the disease.

Optometrists use three types of diagnosis to watch for early warning signs. By measuring the pressure inside the eye, viewing the optic nerve head and by performing a visual field test, optometrists can often catch the disease in its early stages, and begin treatment. Although not curable, glaucoma symptoms can be treated with certain types of eye drops. Some drops are used to slow the production of fluid in the eye (therefore reducing pressure) and others drain the fluid in the eye.

For more information on glaucoma and glaucoma treatments, visit latanoprost.ca, a website devoted to glaucoma disease and treatment articles. To purchase glaucoma treatments, visit Big Mountain Drugs, a certified Canadian pharmacy.

Or view the original optometrist video here.

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, drinking coffee can increase intraocular eye pressure (fluid pressure between the lens and the cornea inside the eye). The more caffeinated coffee you consume, the higher your eye pressure rises. This can be of concern to those with open angle glaucoma, a serious eye disorder in which high intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve. This nerve damage causes permanent vision loss, and can lead to blindness if untreated.

Those with glaucoma are also advised not to drink large amounts of water at one time, but to drink small amounts of water during the day. Drinking more than one or two alcoholic drinks a day can also raise intraocular eye pressure.

The Foundation stresses that, (more…)

Glaucoma is a condition in which blockage of channels through which aqueous humor or the clear fluid present in the eye is discharged. This can cause excess intraocular pressure in the eye. Buildup of such pressure can cause damages to the main optic nerve of the eye which carries the signals to and fro from the brain. This is the second most common cause of blindness in people around the world while some ethnic populations such as African Americans and South Asians are at high risk of developing this disorder. There are many forms of Glaucoma and a proper awareness of this health condition can help remedy the situation and avoid permanent damage to the eyes.

Sub Type of Glaucoma
The main type of Glaucoma present is the open angle glaucoma and the angle-closure glaucoma. In addition to this, congenital and secondary glaucoma can also be present in persons. The natural process of aqueous humor is that it travels through the meshwork of nerves and circulates the eye and leaves the eye with the use of the anterior chamber angle.
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A new study could mean that we might see improvements to glaucoma medications offered by online Canadian pharmacies in the near future.

A recent publication has shown the results of research by scientists at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, which has uncovered a surprising discovery that helps to develop glaucoma. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disorder which damages the optic nerve, and subsequently causes blindness. It is the second biggest cause of blindness across the globe.

This new discovery could eventually mean that drugs can be improved to better target the condition, drugs which are widely available through Canadian pharmacies online at low cost.

An earlier study proved that the optic nerve is particularly important in glaucoma. In the recent study, researchers reported various discoveries that led to a better understanding of the cells and molecules in the optic nerve in two test mice with glaucoma. They also revealed that at a particular area of the optic nerve contains an exclusive type of cell named astrocytes. It has emerged that these cells are an important feature in the loss of vision in glaucoma patients.

Interestingly, the scientists also found that in the optic nerve an astounding process appears to be occurring. Neurons are the cells that die in neurodegenerative conditions such as this one, and this amazing process that has been unearthed by the researchers sees astrocytes eliminating the remains of neurons in the optic nerve. The likelihood is that this discovery is vital to glaucoma and many neurodegenerative conditions.

Another amazing discovery of the study showed that an unusual protein forms in the optic nerve, similar to irregular proteins known to contribute to the cause of cell loss that occurs in Parkinson’s disease. This implies that a process comparable to the process which occurs in Parkinson’s disease may happen in the optic nerve of patients with glaucoma. This is a truly remarkable discovery which could lead to improvements in medication due to extended knowledge of how and why glaucoma blindness occurs.

One of the researchers said that they are hopeful that the discoveries means that glaucoma patients may soon be able to receive treatment to prevent loss of vision, and the research may also contribute to medications for other neurodegenerative disease. They intend to continue their research to further improve on the knowledge of exactly how the whole process works.

Currently, there are variety of drugs available to patients with glaucoma from online Canadian pharmacies who offer low cost drugs by mail order, both brand name and generic, for the convenience of the patients. This is particularly important for patients with illnesses such as glaucoma, where they may be less mobile due to visibility issues. The drugs can be ordered safely and securely online, and are dispatched from a licensed pharmacy. Big Mountain Drugs are one of the leading online Canadian pharmacies, who offer not only quality drugs, but also excellent service.