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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is more common in the elderly, African Americans, Asians and Native Alaskans, those with a family history of glaucoma, those with
diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, patients using long term steroid medications, and patients with a history of eye injury or other eye
disease. Glaucoma is an eye disease that develops gradually (usually over several years), and causes no symptoms in the early stages. In
moderate or advanced glaucoma subtle symptoms may occur including blurred vision, loss of peripheral, or side vision and inability to adjust your
eyes to darkened rooms.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, which is the part of the eye that carries the images we see
from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma occurs when fluid buildup in the eye causes excessive intraocular pressure. Although many people fear this
potentially sight-damaging condition, early diagnosis and treatment can help maintain your vision for a lifetime. Dr. Sturgis and Dr. Motto use
today's most advanced diagnostic exams to pinpoint glaucoma in its earliest stages.
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Diagnosing glaucoma.
Chronic open angle glaucoma is
the most common type of glaucoma. There are usually no symptoms until the condition is very advanced so having regular eye examinations is
the only way to determine if you have the disease. During the exam, the pressure inside your eyes is measured by a tonometer. Usually the
intraocular pressure is high in glaucoma, but some people develop glaucoma even with normal eye pressures. In addition, your optic nerve is
closely examined to determine if there appears to be any damage from glaucoma. If glaucoma is suspected, then additional state-of-the-art tests
are scheduled. These may include threshold visual fields to determine if there is any loss of peripheral vision; retinal nerve fiber layer analysis to
determine if there is any damage to the retinal nerve cells, pachymetry to determine the corneal thickness which affects the intraocular pressure
reading, gonioscopy which examines the drainage angle of the eye where fluid escapes; VEP-Visual Evoked Potential to determine the
neurological functioning of the optic pathway from the eye to the brain, and repeated measurements of the intraocular pressure.
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Treating glaucoma.
If glaucoma is diagnosed during your eye exams, your doctor will prescribe treatment based on your individual needs. Usually
eyedrops are prescribed to lower the intraocular pressure and continued, close monitoring of your condition is necessary to maintain the
intraocular pressure at acceptable levels. In patients with very advanced, complicated, or closed-angle glaucoma that require laser or conventional
surgical intervention, you will be referred to a board-certified glaucoma surgical specialist.
Don't put your vision at risk.
Don't trust yourself to
notice early symptoms of glaucoma; chances are, you won't. Only your eye doctor can through the use of state-of-the-art eye exams. And with
regular checkups and proper treatment, there is a good chance you can live with glaucoma without significant vision loss. For more information on
glaucoma or to schedule an appointment, call New England Eyecare today.
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