What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes optic nerve damage. The number of Americans living with glaucoma has risen to over 3 million, and 200,000 more people each year are diagnosed with the disease. Blindness related to glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness in older adults. Glaucoma usually develops when fluid builds up in front of the eye. As a result, the optic nerve is damaged due to an increase in eye pressure.
What types of glaucoma are there?
The most common type of glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma. Because optic nerve damage is slow and shows no noticeable symptoms, many people don’t realize they have it until vision problems arise. The lesser common form of glaucoma is known as angle-closure glaucoma. Seeing a doctor as soon as you suspect angle-closure glaucoma is imperative! The condition affects vision from the moment it begins.
How is glaucoma treated?
The best glaucoma treatment for you will depend on your unique circumstances. During your eye exam, we will observe the progress of the disease and evaluate the health of your eyes. Our recommendation will be based on the results of this testing. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may require laser surgery or some other type of procedure, such as a trabeculectomy, stent, iridotomy, or cyclophotocoagulation. The general goal of all these devices is to reduce the pressure around the eye by releasing fluids.
Did you know Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the world? Request an appointment with one of our eye doctors to schedule your glaucoma consultation today!
