What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the buildup of fluid and pressure inside the eye which can cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to impaired vision or even blindness.
Types of Glaucoma
Open angle-glaucoma
This accounts for about 90 percent of glaucoma. Because the disease generally develops very gradually and without symptoms, many patients do not notice it until significant loss of vision has occurred.
Even if you have not had any changes in vision or eye health, it is important to have regular eye exams. Open-angle glaucoma can be controlled with little or no vision loss if it is caught in the early stages, but vision generally cannot be restored.
While it is important for people of all ages to have regular eye exams, it is especially important if you:
- are over 40 years of age
- are of African-American heritage
- have a family history of glaucoma
- are very nearsighted
- have diabetes
Closed-angle glaucoma
This type of glaucoma is caused when the iris and lens block the drainage of the movement of fluid between chambers of the eye. It is far less common than open-angle glaucoma, and it has noticeable symptoms including:
- unexplained headaches
- blurred vision
- halos of color around lights
- loss of peripheral vision
- pain or redness in the eyes
- nausea or vomiting
If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, immediate treatment may be required to prevent damage to the eyes.
Glaucoma examination
An exam for glaucoma usually begins with a basic vision test to determine how well you can see with or without corrective lenses.
The following are more specialized procedures for diagnosing and assessing glaucoma:
Intraocular Pressure Test
This test measures pressure inside the eye, which is the main cause of glaucoma. The test can be conducted using an applanation tonometer, where a pressure-sensitive tip is gently placed against the eye, or an air puff tonometer which measures pressure by directs a gentle puff of air toward the eye.
Visual Field Test
Loss of peripheral vision is often one of the first symptoms of glaucoma. During this test, one eye will be covered and you will be asked to look straight ahead at a fixed space, then you will be asked to observe movement or changes in items to your side or even partially behind you.
Fundus Photography
Digital Photographs will be taken of your optic nerve. This helps the doctors to evaluate the health of your optic nerve and to track any changes from year to year .
Opthalmoscopy
During this procedure, special drops will be placed in your eyes to dilate your pupils, giving your doctor a larger “window” to see inside the eye. The main objective is to observe the retina and the optic nerve, which can be damaged by pressure inside the eye.
Gonioscopy
This test uses a mirrored lens to look within the anterior chamber angle of the eye where fluid filters out of the eye. A narrowed angle can close off drainage to the eye, causing increased pressure and risk if injury to the eye. This test is an important way to establish whether the patient is experiencing closed angle glaucoma.
Treatment
Once your tests are completed and analyzed, we will discuss the results with you and determine the proper treatment plan if one is needed.
Eye drops or oral medications are the most common treatments for glaucoma. These are used to promote drainage and reduce fluid production and to lower pressure in the eye.
Laser surgery is sometimes required when side effects are severe and need to be addressed immediately, or if the pressure cannot be lowered to the proper level by medication. This treatment uses lasers to open up the drainage area to relieve pressure in the eye.
Whether you are treated with surgery or with medication, a diagnosis of glaucoma will require regular check-ups to ensure your eyes stay healthy as possible.