Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma is a complex disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to irreversible vision loss. It is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States. The most common type of glaucoma, Chronic open-angle glaucoma, causes a slow, “silent” loss of vision, giving glaucoma the characteristic title of “the silent thief of sight.” Most patients do not experience any symptoms during the early stages of glaucoma, including no pain and no vision loss. This makes it difficult for many patients to know if they have the disease. With routine eye exams, early signs of glaucoma which can only be detected by your ophthalmologist, can be managed and treated appropriately. As Glaucoma progresses, patients may experience a loss of peripheral or side vision. Another, less common type of glaucoma, narrow angle, or closed-angle glaucoma, can cause sudden eye pain, headache, blurred vision or the appearance of halos or rainbows around lights. This disease is best detected and treated with regularly schedule eye visits. 

We offer the latest in diagnostic technology including two Humphrey Visual Field Analyzers and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machines, with state of the art analysis capabilities, specific for diagnosing glaucoma. During each eye examination, several different tests are performed in addition to checking your visual acuity. Goldmann applanation tonometry is performed to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) at every visit, and a pachymeter is used to measure the thickness of the cornea to assess future glaucoma risk progression. Other tests may be performed, such as optic disc photos (pictures of the optic nerve), peripheral vision tests, and tests to see how well patients can see at various distances.

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve, the nerve that leads from the eye to the brain to allow people to see, becomes damaged. This damage leads to loss of the peripheral vision that is irreversible. The main risk factor, and only treatable risk factor to prevent vision loss is eye pressure. In a healthy eye, fluid is produced in the ciliary body and then drains through tiny passages called the trabecular meshwork. In people with glaucoma, this drainage is inadequate and intraocular pressure rises. Patients diagnosed with the most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, have increased eye pressure. Many forms of glaucoma exist. They are as follows:

• Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (residue from the inside of the eye blocks the drain in the eye leading to increased eye pressure)
• Narrow Angle glaucoma (the drain of the eye becomes narrowed with time, leading to less drainage of fluid and high eye pressure)
• Angle Closure Glaucoma (Painful eye emergency where the eye pressure increases and patients experience blurry vision, red eye, nausea and pain, This is an eye emergency)
• Steroid-Induced Glaucoma (Optic nerve damage from use of steroid medications)
• Traumatic Glaucoma (Optic nerve damage from trauma to the eye or head)
• Normal Tension or Low Tension Glaucoma (Nerve damage in the presence of normal eye pressures)

Not all types of glaucoma are treated the same, and not all types of glaucoma respond the same to treatment. Some patients may have risk factors for glaucoma, but only require careful monitoring without treatment to prevent future vision loss. To learn more about your risk factors, please call to schedule an appointment.

Once glaucoma has been diagnosed, treatment should begin as soon as possible to help minimize the risk of permanent vision loss. There is no cure for glaucoma, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing further damage from occurring. Most cases of glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, laser or microsurgery. The best treatment for your individual case depends on the type and severity of the disease, and can be discussed with your doctor.