Glaucoma Specialist

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes increased pressure inside your eye. This increased pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve, which in turn may lead to severe vision loss or blindness in some cases.

Blindness caused by glaucoma is permanent and irreversible. You risk for glaucoma increases with age, especially after age 40. Preventive care is imperative for early detection and to ensure no vision loss.

There are two main kinds of glaucoma, open-angle and angle-closure. Both occur due to the lack of appropriate drainage in the eye causing a buildup of fluid and an increase of pressure inside the eye.

What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

In the early stages of increased eye pressure, you’re likely to have no symptoms at all. As the pressure inside your eye increases and potential damage is done to the optic nerve, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Eye pain
• Distorted vision
• Blurred vision
• Sudden vision loss

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see the team at VistaSite Eye Care as soon as possible.

How is Glaucoma Treated?

The best thing you can do for the care of glaucoma is to see your VistaSite Eye Care optometrist at least once a year to check for pressure inside your eye. Early detection of glaucoma is key to avoiding vision loss.

Factors that may put at a greater risk for glaucoma and necessitate more frequent checkups include:

• Being age 40 or older
• Being of African-American or Hispanic descent
• Family history of glaucoma
• Being nearsighted or farsighted
• History of high eye pressure
• Eye injury
• Thinning optic nerve
• Diabetes
• Suffering from migraines
• Health history of specific conditions

Your optometrist advises you if you’re at a higher risk for glaucoma. How your glaucoma is treated depends on when it’s detected and the degree of damage that may have already been done by the time it’s found. Treatment options include:

• Eye drops
• Laser treatment
• Eye surgery

Your optometrist at VistaSite Eye Care will determine your best course of treatment.

Remember that regular comprehensive eye exams are your first and best line of defense against glaucoma. If you would like to take that first step towards healthy vision, call or book your appointment online today.