Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a series of diseases which result in damage to the optic nerve, the main nerve that carries the vision from the eye to the brain. The condition occurs in about 4% of whites and 10% of African Americans over 40 years old. It is more common in persons with a family history and as we get older, and can also be the result of certain medications and other eye diseases.

Glaucoma may lead to blind areas in your field of vision and, if not treated promptly and properly, may lead to total blindness. Generally, there are no symptoms so regular eye exams are the only way to detect this "silent thief of sight."

Glaucoma is usually related to an increase in the fluid pressure in the eye but can sometimes occur even with normal intra-ocular pressures. There are different types of glaucoma, some of which can be quite painful. During an evaluation, which includes measuring the intraocular pressure, evaluating the drain where fluid leaves the eye, measuring and charting the visual field and photographing and scanning the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer using ocular coherence tomography, we can determine the type and extent of the disease and plan with you the best course of therapy.

Once diagnosed, glaucoma can be controlled and vision preserved, but once there is a loss of vision it cannot be reversed. Treatment consists of eye drops, systemic medications, laser treatments and conventional surgery. Ask about Selective4 Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) for patients who want to reduce or even eliminate the use of eye drops to control glaucoma