Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve, often due to elevated intraocular pressure. It is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting millions of people. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to complete blindness. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to slowing or halting its progression.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually due to abnormally high pressure in your eye. The condition can develop slowly over many years (chronic) or suddenly (acute). The most common form of glaucoma often presents no symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. Other forms of the disease can present more immediate symptoms, including severe eye pain, nausea, and sudden visual disturbances.

How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

Diagnosing glaucoma involves a series of tests to assess your eye health and measure the pressure within your eye. Common diagnostic methods include:

• Tonometry: measures intraocular pressure (IOP)
• Dilated Eye Exam: the eye doctor can view the optic nerve to check for damage
• Visual Field Testing: maps your peripheral vision to identify areas of vision loss
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): provides detailed pictures of the optic nerve and retina

Open-Angle vs. Angle-Closure

The most common form of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, occurs when the eye’s drainage angle remains open, but the fluid drains too slowly, leading to elevated IOP. It progresses slowly and often without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss occurs.

Angle-closure glaucoma is less common, but a more urgent form occurs when the drainage angle is completely or partially blocked, leading to a rapid increase in eye pressure. It can cause sudden symptoms like severe eye pain, headaches, blurred vision, and halos around lights.

Who is Affected by Glaucoma?

Glaucoma can affect anyone, but certain factors increase the risk of developing the disease, including:

• Age: People over 60 are at higher risk
• Family History: A family history significantly increases your risk
• Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease may elevate your risk
• Eye Conditions: Previous eye injuries or certain eye conditions

Treatment Options for Glaucoma

Glaucoma treatment aims to lower intraocular pressure to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Several treatment options are available, depending on the severity of your condition:

1. Laser Treatments: Laser therapy, such as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), is often recommended to enhance eye fluid drainage or reduce fluid production in the eye.
2. Surgery: The iStent is designed to be minimally invasive and is an excellent option for patients needing an alternative to traditional medications or more invasive surgeries. This tiny device is inserted into the eye’s drainage canal to improve fluid outflow and reduce eye pressure.
3. Medications: Prescription drops help to reduce the amount of fluid your eye produces or improve fluid drainage.

Why is Early Detection Crucial for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it typically progresses without noticeable symptoms until vision loss. Early detection through regular comprehensive eye exams is crucial for preventing severe vision loss.

The earlier glaucoma is caught, the better the chances of preserving vision through treatment. Regular eye exams can help monitor for changes in eye pressure and optic nerve health before noticeable vision changes occur.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are at risk for glaucoma or haven’t had an eye exam recently, don’t wait until it’s too late. Early detection is crucial in preventing vision loss. Schedule an appointment with Total Eye Care today to discuss your eye health and explore your best treatment options.

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