What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that damage the eye’s optic nerve. This usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. This fluid, which normally exits the eye in a continuing stream, builds pressure increases within the eye. Eventually this damages the optic nerve.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S. for all ages, following only macular degeneration. Glaucoma can occur at any age, but it is much more prevalent in older adults.
If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually cause blindness. Even with treatment, about 15 percent of people with glaucoma become blind in at least one eye within 20 years.
What Causes Glaucoma?
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Is There A Cure For Glaucoma?
There is currently no cure for glaucoma. However, with prompt care to lower intraocular pressure, treatment can help slow or stop the progression of vision loss. Treatment, which may involve prescription medication or surgery, is planned around many factors, including your age and the type and severity of your glaucoma.
What Are The Symptoms Of Glaucoma?
There are different forms of glaucoma, but the most common forms are known as open-angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma. These are the symptoms for these forms:
Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Symptoms:
- Patchy blind spots in your peripheral or central vision, frequently in both eyes
- Tunnel vision with advanced glaucoma
Acute Angle-closure Glaucoma Symptoms:
- Severe headaches
- Eye pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Halos around lights
- Eye redness
What Are The Risk Factors For Glaucoma?
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but certain factors increase a person’s risk:
- Having high intraocular pressure
- Being over age 60
- Being black, Asian, or Hispanic
- Having a family history of glaucoma
How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
At our practice, during every routine eye exam we test for glaucoma because early diagnosis and treatment is key to success against the disease. We test your visual acuity and visual field. The intraocular pressure inside your eye is tested. We also measure the thickness of your cornea, and we inspect the drainage angle. We’re proud to offer the latest tests for glaucoma, including Cirrus HD-OCT and the Humphrey® Field Analyzer/HFA. This is the gold standard for perimetry testing.
How Glaucoma Is Treated
Treatment for glaucoma is developed around the severity of the condition, medical history, risk factors, and other data obtained during a comprehensive consultation and eye exam. The objective of treatment is to lower intraocular pressure. To do so, the doctor may prescribe medicated eye drops and/or oral medication. Surgery may also be considered, especially for acute angle-closure glaucoma, which is considered a medical emergency.
Available Treatment Options For Glaucoma:
Once glaucoma has damaged a person’s vision, this is irreversible. Treatment can help slow or prevent vision loss, if the disease is caught early. The goal with treatment is to lower the intraocular pressure.
Eyedrops
The first line of treatment is usually prescription eyedrops. These can reduce the internal eye pressure by either improving how the fluid drains from your eye or by decreasing the amount of fluid your eye is making. There are now a variety of different eyedrop options, depending on how your eyes respond. Many people don’t comply with their dosages and the need for consistent application of their eyedrops, however, and this is a leading cause of continued damage because the patient isn’t experiencing any pain or symptoms.
Surgery
The goal here is to improve fluid drainage within the eye.
- Laser therapy: Laser trabeculoplasty opens clogged channels in the trabecular meshwork.
- Filtering: In a trabeculectomy, part of the trabecular meshwork is removed to enhance drainage.
- Drainage tubes: Small tubes are inserted, usually through the trabecular meshwork, to open flow.
- Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery: These various techniques are used to lower eye pressure, generally with lower risk and easier recovery.
Glaucoma Prevention Steps You Can Take To Preserve Your Eyesight
Two of the very best ways to address the risk of glaucoma include knowing your family history for this condition and seeing your ophthalmologist regularly. It isn’t enough to see an optometrist for “vision checkups;” you need a qualified eye doctor to also examine the parts of your eye that are not visible upon normal observation. A comprehensive eye exam includes the dilation of your pupil so the ophthalmologist can look at your retina and optic nerve. With these two steps alone, you are much better equipped to handle the risk of glaucoma.
Additional tips for managing glaucoma include regular exercise, using prescribed glaucoma medication as directed, and always wearing appropriate eye protection when playing sports.
Patient Testimonials:
Read what our patients are saying!
“I have gone to Shenandoah Lasik and Cataract Center at least 15 years and feel they provides excellent care and is extremely knowledgeable. A busy practice, you will wait…but well worth it.”
"LOVE this Eye group & staff. Being a medical professional for many years, I have interacted with a higher than average number of groups from the West coast to here, & this one is professional, polite & kind. The doctors are the best of the best in Opthalmology. So very thankful I found them."
Glaucoma FAQ
At Shenandoah LASIK & Cataract Center, we can spot the early signs of glaucoma and successfully treat the condition before it causes permanent damage.
Schedule A Consultation
If you’re interested in learning more about Glaucoma Treatment in Winchester, VA, please contact us at 540-722-6200 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced professionals.
