Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States, and it can affect people of all ages and races. Approximately 2.2 million Americans over 40 years old have glaucoma, yet more than half are unaware they have this disease until their sight is compromised.
Studies have shown individuals that are at greater risk include:
Unfortunately there is not just one test that will diagnose glaucoma. During your comprehensive eye examination the following painless tests will be performed in our office:
Although there is no cure for glaucoma, early and appropriate treatment is crucial in preventing the progression of the disease. Depending on the type of glaucoma the treatments consist of:
Studies have shown individuals that are at greater risk include:
- People over the age of 40
- Patients with a family history of glaucoma
- African-Americans
- Patients with diagnosed or undiagnosed hypertension or diabetes
- Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma
The structures within the eye appear normal, but the fluid (aqueous humor), is not able to drain properly. The production of this fluid must be balanced by equal amounts of drainage and an imbalance will cause the pressure in the eye to rise. If too high and left untreated, this pressure decreases the blood flow to the optic nerve resulting in a slow loss of peripheral vision and eventual blindness. Fortunately, if diagnosed early, there are many treatment modalities to prevent this.
Symptoms
Early in the disease there are no symptoms and the damage is gradual, which is why it is often referred to as the “sneak thief of sight.” The following symptoms only occur later in the disease:
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Colored halos around lights
- Disturbed dark adaptation
- Reduced visual acuity
- Acute Narrow Angle Glaucoma
This is characterized by abnormal structures in the front of the eye. These abnormal structures block the fluid from draining, causing intense and sudden rise in intraocular pressure. This can result in blindness within days and should be treated as a true emergency.
Symptoms
- Blurred vision
- Redness in the eye
- Extreme eye pain
- Nausea
- Headache
Glaucoma Diagnosis
Unfortunately there is not just one test that will diagnose glaucoma. During your comprehensive eye examination the following painless tests will be performed in our office:
- Careful visual evaluation of the optic nerve through a dilated pupil and digital photos for documentation of future changes in the optic nerve
- Intraocular pressure reading with a Goldman Tonometer
- Zeiss peripheral visual field test
- Zeiss Stratus Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- Optic nerve Blood Flow Analyzer
- Measurement of corneal thickness with Pachymeter
Although there is no cure for glaucoma, early and appropriate treatment is crucial in preventing the progression of the disease. Depending on the type of glaucoma the treatments consist of:
- Systemic medication
- Eye drops
- Laser treatments including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) and Peripheral Laser Iridotomy (LPI)
- Filtering and shunt surgery