GLAUCOMA
Explore personalized, effective glaucoma treatment options at Palm Valley Eye.
GLAUCOMA
Explore personalized, effective glaucoma treatment options at Palm Valley Eye.
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA?
- Peripheral vision loss
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA?
- Peripheral vision loss
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
Michael McAfee
“THEY WERE FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL AND EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE.”
Michael McAfee
“THEY WERE FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL AND EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE.”
WHAT CAUSES GLAUCOMA?
Other causes of glaucoma include:
- Eye injuries or blunt force trauma
- Diabetes
- Blood clots or strokes in the eye
- Steroid use
- Medications like topiramate
- Anatomic predisposition known as “narrow angles”
You may be more at risk of developing glaucoma if you’re over the age of 60, have a family history of the disease, have a history of steroid use or are of African American, Hispanic or Asian descent.
WHAT CAUSES DRY EYE SYNDROME?
Other causes of glaucoma include:
- Eye injuries or blunt force trauma
- Diabetes
- Blood clots or strokes in the eye
- Steroid use
- Medications like topiramate
- Anatomic predisposition known as “narrow angles”
You may be more at risk of developing glaucoma if you’re over the age of 60, have a family history of the disease, have a history of steroid use or are of African American, Hispanic or Asian descent.
HOW TO DETECT AND DIAGNOSE GLAUCOMA?
- Tonometry: Also known as an eye pressure test, this measures your intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Pachymetry: Corneal thickness can cause IOP to vary based on how thin or thick it is.
- Dilated Exam: A magnified lens is used to evaluate and assess the appearance and measure the cup to disc ratio of the optic nerve.
- Ophthalmoscopy: An ophthalmoscopy, or an optic nerve exam, uses special instruments to examine the ocular structures for damage.
- Perimetry: Commonly referred to as a visual field test, this maps your peripheral vision to identify blind spots, which can identify patterns associated with damage from glaucoma.
- Imaging: Nerve fiber layer OCT imaging is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that objectively measures the density of the optic nerve tissue.
HOW TO DETECT AND DIAGNOSE GLAUCOMA?
- Tonometry: Also known as an eye pressure test, this measures your intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Pachymetry: Corneal thickness can cause IOP to vary based on how thin or thick it is.
- Dilated Exam: A magnified lens is used to evaluate and assess the appearance and measure the cup to disc ratio of the optic nerve.
- Ophthalmoscopy: An ophthalmoscopy, or an optic nerve exam, uses special instruments to examine the ocular structures for damage.
- Perimetry: Commonly referred to as a visual field test, this maps your peripheral vision to identify blind spots, which can identify patterns associated with damage from glaucoma.
- Imaging: Nerve fiber layer OCT imaging is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that objectively measures the density of the optic nerve tissue.
HOW TO PREVENT GLAUCOMA?
- Maintain your eye exams: Because many people don’t experience symptoms, regular eye exams are crucial to early detection.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle: Reducing vascular and systemic risk factors is protective for overall eye health.
- Protect against injuries: Wearing sunglasses during warm days and safety goggles during intense physical activities can reduce the risk of trauma.
- Manage medical conditions: It’s helpful to optimize conditions that are linked to glaucoma, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Understand your risk factors: If you have known risk factors, your doctor may recommend more frequent follow up appointments.
Angle closure glaucoma and other forms of glaucoma may be preventable in certain circumstances – see your eye doctor for a complete evaluation and recommendations.
HOW TO PREVENT GLAUCOMA?
- Maintain your eye exams: Because many people don’t experience symptoms, regular eye exams are crucial to early detection.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle: Reducing vascular and systemic risk factors is protective for overall eye health.
- Protect against injuries: Wearing sunglasses during warm days and safety goggles during intense physical activities can reduce the risk of trauma.
- Manage medical conditions: It’s helpful to optimize conditions that are linked to glaucoma, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Understand your risk factors: If you have known risk factors, your doctor may recommend more frequent follow up appointments.
Angle closure glaucoma and other forms of glaucoma may be preventable in certain circumstances – see your eye doctor for a complete evaluation and recommendations.
HOW TO TREAT GLAUCOMA?
- Prescription eye drops: Eye drops help reduce fluid production and improve eye drainage.
- Laser treatment: Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, a brief laser treatment, can lower intraocular pressure.
- Minimally invasive glaucoma implants (MIGs): These treatments involve inserting small devices in the eye to lower IOP. Less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgery, this treatment may be recommended if eye drops or laser solutions aren’t effective in preventing progression.
- Surgery: More advanced glaucoma cases may require surgical intervention, such as a trabeculectomy or a tube shunt device. A trabeculectomy involves removing a small part of the eye to create a new drainage pathway, while a tube shunt device involves implanting a tube or valve to drain fluid from the inside part of the eye to the outside.
HOW TO TREAT GLAUCOMA?
- Prescription eye drops: Eye drops help reduce fluid production and improve eye drainage.
- Laser treatment: Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, a brief laser treatment, can lower intraocular pressure.
- Minimally invasive glaucoma implants (MIGs): These treatments involve inserting small devices in the eye to lower IOP. Less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgery, this treatment may be recommended if eye drops or laser solutions aren’t effective in preventing progression.
- Surgery: More advanced glaucoma cases may require surgical intervention, such as a trabeculectomy or a tube shunt device. A trabeculectomy involves removing a small part of the eye to create a new drainage pathway, while a tube shunt device involves implanting a tube or valve to drain fluid from the inside part of the eye to the outside.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GLAUCOMA
How common is glaucoma?
Glaucoma affects over 80 million people worldwide and three million people in the United States, making it a fairly common eye condition.
How quickly does glaucoma progress?
The speed at which glaucoma progresses varies depending on the type and severity. Open-angle glaucoma (the most common type) progresses slowly, in most cases. Angle closure glaucoma may be rapid and cause blindness within a short period of time (90 minutes). Early detection and treatment are key to slowing down the disease and preserving vision.
What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
Risk factors for glaucoma include being over 60 years old, having a family history of the disease, having certain medical conditions and being of a certain ethnicity (namely African American, Hispanic or Asian). Other forms of glaucoma may be associated with trauma, medications, or anatomic predispositions.
Is glaucoma hereditary?
It can be! If you have a family member with glaucoma, your risk of developing it is higher.
Can children get glaucoma?
While it’s rare, children can get glaucoma. The most common type found in children is congenital glaucoma, which is present at birth or develops in early childhood. If your child experiences any concerning symptoms, such as enlarged eyes or excessive tearing, you should consult a pediatric ophthalmologist.
Can I still drive if I have glaucoma?
Glaucoma patients can often still drive, especially if the disease is in its early stages. However, if glaucoma progresses and restricts the vision, it could affect your ability to drive. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe to drive, consult your eye doctor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GLAUCOMA
How common is glaucoma?
Glaucoma affects over 80 million people worldwide and three million people in the United States, making it a fairly common eye condition.
How quickly does glaucoma progress?
The speed at which glaucoma progresses varies depending on the type and severity. Open-angle glaucoma (the most common type) progresses slowly, in most cases. Angle closure glaucoma may be rapid and cause blindness within a short period of time (90 minutes). Early detection and treatment are key to slowing down the disease and preserving vision.
What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
Risk factors for glaucoma include being over 60 years old, having a family history of the disease, having certain medical conditions and being of a certain ethnicity (namely African American, Hispanic or Asian). Other forms of glaucoma may be associated with trauma, medications, or anatomic predispositions.
Is glaucoma hereditary?
It can be! If you have a family member with glaucoma, your risk of developing it is higher.
Can children get glaucoma?
While it’s rare, children can get glaucoma. The most common type found in children is congenital glaucoma, which is present at birth or develops in early childhood. If your child experiences any concerning symptoms, such as enlarged eyes or excessive tearing, you should consult a pediatric ophthalmologist.
Can I still drive if I have glaucoma?
Glaucoma patients can often still drive, especially if the disease is in its early stages. However, if glaucoma progresses and restricts the vision, it could affect your ability to drive. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe to drive, consult your eye doctor.
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