Glaucoma Treatment
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is defined as a group of eye disorders leading to progressive damage to the optic nerve by the American Optometric Association. It is characterized by the loss of nerve tissue that results in loss of vision.
While mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma is very common, many people are unaware of their condition, especially in the early stages, when their vision may be unaffected. In many people, open-angle glaucoma is characterized by an increase in the intraocular pressure (IOP) of your eye. The pressure is caused by the buildup of fluid within the eye; too much fluid raises pressure, which can cause the gradual loss of vision. And while glaucoma moves slowly, its damage is irreparable.
A serious eye disease, Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma most often occurs in people over age 40, although a congenital or infantile form of glaucoma does exist. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 40, and Hispanics over the age of 60 are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Other risk factors include thinner corneas, chronic eye inflammation
While mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma is very common, many people are unaware of their condition, especially in the early stages, when their vision may be unaffected. In many people, open-angle glaucoma is characterized by an increase in the intraocular pressure (IOP) of your eye. The pressure is caused by the buildup of fluid within the eye; too much fluid raises pressure, which can cause the gradual loss of vision. And while glaucoma moves slowly, its damage is irreparable.
A serious eye disease, Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma most often occurs in people over age 40, although a congenital or infantile form of glaucoma does exist. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans over the age of 40, and Hispanics over the age of 60 are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Other risk factors include thinner corneas, chronic eye inflammation
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How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Diagram showing development of glaucoma illustration
Glaucoma is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing includes:
- Patient history to determine family history and symptoms
- Visual acuity measurements to determine the extent which vision may be affected
- Tonometry to measure pressure inside the eye
- Pachymetry to measure corneal thickness
- Visual field testing to check if the field of vision has been affected by glaucoma
- Evaluation of the retina which may include photographs of the optic nerve
- Supplemental testing may include gonioscopy, a procedure allowing views of the angle anatomy and serial tonometry which acquires several pressure measurements over time
- One tool we use is Optomap to diagnose glaucoma, along with many other eye health and other diseases. No dilation needed!
South Georgia/North Florida Eye Partners performs these comprehensive eye exams in all five of our offices.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
If glaucoma is detected, treatment often first includes medications to reduce elevated intraocular pressure. If medications don’t work or pressure is elevated in spite of medications, treatments can include one of the following:
There is no cure for glaucoma, but by keeping eye pressure under control, continued damage to the optic nerve and continued loss of your visual field may slow or stop. Early detection, prompt treatment and regular monitoring can help to control glaucoma and reduce vision loss. South Georgia Eye/North Florida Partners diagnoses and treats all types of glaucoma with individual treatment plans. Call Eye Partners today to set up an appointment if you feel you are showing signs of glaucoma and would like to start taking control of your eye health.
