Glaucoma
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that gradually and irreversibly damages the optic nerve. Glaucomatous nerve damage is experienced as slowly progressive blindness that starts peripherally and if left untreated can lead to complete blindness.
Who Is Prone To Getting Glaucoma?
- People over the age of 40
- People who have a family history of glaucoma
- People with abnormally high intraocular pressure
- People of African America, Hispanic, or Asian American descent
People Who Have:
- Diabetes
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Regular, long-term steroid/cortisone use
- A previous eye injury
- A family history of glaucoma
- Extremely high or low blood pressure
Glaucoma Prevention
While glaucoma may not be preventable, you may slow down its progression with early treatment. This makes regular eye examinations essential for early detection and treatment. During an eye evaluation, you will undergo a series of painless tests:
- Dilated eye exams
- Eye pressure measurements,
- Visual field testing
Can Glaucoma Be Prevented?
It may not be preventable, but early treatment can slow down its progression. Regular eye examinations are vital for early detection and treatment.
Does Glaucoma Need To Be Treated?
Yes. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential because progressive blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible. Treatment is necessary to lower eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
What are My Treatment Options?
- Eye drop medication
- Laser treatments
- Surgery
What Are the Risks Involved With Treatment?
There are risks with any type of surgical procedure. However, glaucoma surgery is relatively safe. With the increasing use of anti-scarring agents and various postoperative techniques, complications from the surgical treatment of glaucoma are becoming much rarer. Laser procedures used to treat glaucoma are also considered relatively safe. In fact, they typically result in fewer side effects than the medications used to treat glaucoma. And unlike invasive surgery, laser treatment poses no threat of infection. The most common complication of laser treatment is a temporary rise in the eye’s intraocular pressure.