Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve of the eye. The optic nerve is the connection between the eye and the brain and in glaucoma the optic nerve degenerates which can cause vision loss.
Glaucoma
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Keeping your sight
how is glaucoma treated?
Glaucoma affects approximately 2-3% of the population yet we still do not have all the answers about how or why the disease occurs. The risk factors for glaucoma include high eye pressure, genetic predisposition to glaucoma including a family history, race, thin corneas, age, steroid use, multiple eye surgeries. While most of these factors are not in our control, we can lower the risk and progression rate of glaucoma by reducing the eye pressure. This can be done with drops, laser or glaucoma surgery.
At Advanced Vision Care we have board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians that can evaluate your glaucoma and discuss a customized treatment plan.
GLAUCOMA AWARENESS
Who is vulnerable to glaucoma?
Typically, the following individuals are vulnerable to glaucoma:
- People over the age of 60
- People of African American, Hispanic and Asian descent
- People with close family members with glaucoma
- People with high eye pressure
- People with thin corneas
- People with long-term steroid medication use
- People with trauma or previous complex surgeries to the eye
Types of glaucoma
One of many types of glaucoma may affect an individual. These types are:
Primary open-angle glaucoma
This is the most common type of glaucoma. Over 3 million Americans are diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. In this type of glaucoma, the drainage system of the eye (called the trabecular meshwork) appears open when the doctor examines it but the channels may not be functioning as well as they should and it can lead to high eye pressure. Over time the high eye pressure can put stress on the nerve of the eye and causes damange to the optic nerve.
Primary angle-closure glaucoma
In this condition, the drainage canals in the eye are blocked by the iris and the pressure on the optic nerve is constantly high. The iris comes forward, away from its place, and closes-off the drainage canal. A procedure may be required to help open the drainage system.
Secondary glaucoma
When a different eye condition causes injury to the optic nerve or leads to an increase in pressure on the optic nerve, it results in secondary glaucoma. Here, glaucoma is a consequence of another serious eye condition.
Congenital glaucoma
This glaucoma condition occurs in babies and children. It could either be hereditary or due to an eye condition or injury that occurs due to fetal abnormalities during the pregnancy.
Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome
This is a very rare type of glaucoma where cells on the posterior surface of the cornea disintegrate and bind like adhesions to the iris. This can cause the surface of the iris to get damaged while the drainage canals in the eyes become clogged.
Apart from the above conditions, glaucoma can also occur if a chemical is sprayed into the eye and burns the optic nerve. Additionally, any bacterial, viral or fungal infection in the eye may sometimes damage the optic nerve, causing glaucoma.
GLAUCOMA DROPS
Symptoms of glaucoma
- Commonly there are no symptoms at all
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Tunnel vision
- A vision that progressively worsens – first in the peripheral vision later in the central vision
- Pain on and around the eye
- Halo rings in the line of sight
- Nausea and vomiting
- Red eyes
Treating Glaucoma
At Advanced Vision Care, our doctors and the rest of our team will use a combination of medicine and laser surgery to help you keep your eyesight. Our glaucoma treatments are highly-personalized, and your medical requirements and needs are taken into consideration.
Read More about Glaucoma Surgery
