Glaucoma vs Cataracts: Key Differences Seniors Should Know

As we get older, we start experiencing changes in our bodies. Some of them may be gradual and non-noticeable, while others are fast and conspicuous.

Eye conditions in aging are definitely something you'll immediately spot, as they'll affect your vision. Two common ones are glaucoma and cataracts, so you need to educate yourself on them for proper senior vision care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

If you need eye health support and want to learn about these eye conditions, then keep reading. This article discusses glaucoma vs cataracts, with key information you should know and steps you should take.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma isn't actually one singular condition; instead, it's a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. Typically, this happens due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP). However, other causes include:

• Poor drainage of fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye
• Genetics (family history)
• Medical conditions (like diabetes or hypertension)

What's concerning about glaucoma is that it's often called the "silent thief of sight." In many cases, it can progress without obvious symptoms until there's significant vision loss.

The types of glaucoma include:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG): The most common and gradual form
• Angle-closure glaucoma: Less common, but more acute; it's considered a medical emergency
• Normal-tension glaucoma: Optic nerve damage even with normal eye pressure

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which is behind the iris and the pupil. When we talk about aging and vision loss, we're usually referring to cataracts since they're most commonly related to aging. This is because the proteins in the lens clump together.

However, there are other factors that can contribute to the development of cataracts. They include:

• UV radiation exposure
• Smoking or alcohol use
• Certain medications (such as steroids)
• Previous eye surgeries or trauma

Glaucoma vs Cataracts: The Key Differences

As you can already see, these two eye conditions differ just in the descriptions. Let's delve into the key differences as well.

Symptoms

The cataract and glaucoma signs are a bit different, so if you're experiencing symptoms, you should be able to suspect which condition it is.

With glaucoma, you may experience:

• Gradual loss of your peripheral vision
• Halos around lights
• Sudden eye pain and redness (angle-closure glaucoma)
• Nausea or vomiting (with acute pressure spikes)
• Tunnel vision in advanced stages

With cataracts, the symptoms are:

• Blurry or foggy vision
• Double vision in one eye
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Faded or yellowed colors
• Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription

In general, there's no pain associated with either (unless you have angle-closure glaucoma).

Diagnosis

If you suspect that you have either glaucoma or cataracts, you should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist, both of whom are eye doctors.

These are the tools and tests used for glaucoma:

• Tonometry (eye pressure test that measures IOP)
• Ophthalmoscopy and OCT scans (evaluate optic nerve damage)
• Visual field test (check for peripheral vision loss)

To diagnose cataracts, they'll use the following:

• Slit-lamp exam (view cloudiness in the lens)
• Visual acuity test (measures clarity of vision)

Treatment Options

Because the two conditions are so different, the treatment options are as well.

With glaucoma, you may be put on medicated eye drops to try and lower your eye pressure. Otherwise, there are surgical treatments, such as:

• Laser therapy (trabeculoplasty)
• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
• Conventional surgery (trabeculectomy or shunt placement)

Regardless, you'll need lifelong monitoring and treatment for glaucoma.

The bad news is that no medications can reverse cataracts. However, cataract surgery is very commonly done, meaning it's safe.

In this surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Typically, this is a one-time fix with high success rates.

Can You Have Both?

Yes, you can definitely have both glaucoma and cataracts, especially since both are age-related. However, neither should stop you from living an active lifestyle.

Do note that if you leave either untreated, it can lead to serious issues. With both, you can experience potential (legal) blindness. But the good news is that the prognosis and long-term outlook aren't bad.

Should you get treatment, vision loss can be slowed or halted for glaucoma. And if you get cataract surgery, you can experience full restoration of your vision. In fact, the surgery can even help lower eye pressure, which benefits glaucoma management.

What Seniors Should Do

As you can see, both eye conditions can lead to blindness, but if you stay on top of things, they can be managed, and you can lead a fulfilling life, whether you're still living independently or are in assisted living.

The best course of action is to be proactive. Do everything you can to protect your vision, including wearing UV-protective sunglasses (to help delay cataract formation) and managing chronic health conditions (like diabetes and hypertension).

You should also schedule regular comprehensive eye exams. Ideally, you should be getting one every one to two years after you turn 60.

Knowing your family history can be helpful too, as both glaucoma and cataracts can be hereditary. If your loved ones are affected by these conditions, then you should be extra vigilant.

On that note, you should report any vision changes promptly. If you experience peripheral vision loss, increased glare, or any other vision issues, make an appointment with your eye doctor right away.

Take Care of Your Health

After reading this post, you should now have a solid understanding of the topic of glaucoma vs cataracts.

While both can impact your vision, they do so in very different ways. Glaucoma causes irreversible nerve damage, often without symptoms early on, while cataracts cause cloudy vision that can be corrected with a simple surgery.

Either way, seniors should be vigilant with routine eye care. Early detection is absolutely key to preserving your sight, and it doesn't take much effort or time to be on the lookout either.

Allara has signature programs that provide our residents with quality amenities and activities. Get in touch with us today to find out more about senior living in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.