What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, which can lead to vision loss, or even blindness. Open angle glaucoma is the most common type.
Who is at Risk?
Although anyone can get glaucoma, some people are at higher risk than others. They include:
- People of African descent over age 40
- Everyone over age 60
- Diabetics
- People with a family history of glaucoma
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
At first, glaucoma has no noticeable symptoms. Vision stays normal, and there is no pain. If glaucoma remains untreated, people often notice their peripheral vision starts to diminish, and over time, the remaining vision may diminish until there is no vision left. At Skouras Eye Centre, we use a GDX scanner to detect glaucoma earlier than with most other detection methods. In addition to early detection the GDX scanner offers these benefits:
- Fast
- Comfortable for the patient
- Is non-invasive
How is Glaucoma Treated?
Medications
Medicines are the most common treatment of glaucoma. Some cause the eye to make less fluid; but most lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye.
Laser Surgery (also called SLT or selective laser trabeculoplasty)
During this outpatient procedure, short pulses of low-energy laser light are used to reduce intraocular pressure that can cause damage to the optic nerve. The outflow of aqueous humor is then enhanced and the intraocular pressure is lowered. The procedure is repeatable if needed.
Conventional Surgery
Surgery is usually reserved for patients whose pressure cannot be controlled with eye drops, pills, or laser surgery. It is important to know that while glaucoma surgery may save remaining vision, it does not improve sight.
What Can You do to Protect Your Vision?
If you are being treated for glaucoma, be sure to take your glaucoma medicine daily and see your eye care professional regularly.
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