|
|
|
|
|
|
Free Laser Vision Screening
|
Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in the United States, especially for older people. Fortunately, loss of sight from glaucoma is often preventable if You get treatment early enough. Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eyeball to the brain. High pressure in the eye can damage the optic nerve. The higher the pressure inside the eye, the greater the chance of damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is made up of a huge number of nerve fibers, like an telephone cable containing a huge number of wires. High pressure from glaucoma can kill nerve fibers, causing blind spots to develop. Since the damage is very slow, people usually don't notice these blind areas until much optic nerve damage has already occurred. If the entire nerve is destroyed, total blindness results. Early detection and treatment of glaucoma are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and blindness. What causes glaucoma?A clear fluid, called the aqueous humor, circulates inside the eye. A small amount of this fluid is produced constantly, and an equal amount flows out of the eve through a microscopic drainage system. The clear liquid aqueous humor is always being produced within the eye. If the drainage angle of the eye is partially obstructed, fluid backs up in the eye and the pressure in the eye increases. When pressure in the eye increases, the optic nerve can be damaged, and blindness may ensue. What are the different types of glaucoma?Primary open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common form of glaucoma in the United
States. It is much more common as we age. The drainage angle of the eye becomes less
efficient with time, and pressure within the eye slowly increases. Primary open-angle glaucoma damages vision so gradually and painlessly that you are not aware of trouble until the optic nerve is already badly damaged and you are in the end stages of the disease. Angle-closure glaucoma: Sometimes the drainage angle of the eye may become completely blocked by a malpositioned iris (the colored structure of the eye). It is as though a leaf floating near a drain suddenly drops over the opening and blocks
the flow out of the drain. In the eye, the iris (the part that makes eves blue or brown)
may act like the sheet of paper closing off the drainage angle. Symptoms of angle-closure may include:
If you have any of these symptoms, call your ophthalmologist immediately. Unless an ophthalmologist treats acute angle-closure glaucoma quickly, usually with a laser, permanant blindness can result. Acute angle closure glaucoma is more common in Asian (oriental) people than in people of European descent; it is rare in people of African descent. How is glaucoma detected?Regular eye examinations by your ophthalmologist are the best way to detect glaucoma. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor. Your ophthalmologist can detect and treat glaucoma. During a complete and painless examination, you ophthalmologist will:
Some of these tests may not be necessary for every person. You may need to repeat these tests on a regular basis, to determine if glaucoma damage is increasing over time. Who is at risk for glaucoma?High pressure alone does not mean that you have glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist puts together many kinds of information to determine your risk for developing the disease. The most important risk factors include:
Your ophthalmologist will look at all of these factors before deciding whether you need treatment for glaucoma, or whether you should be monitored closely as a glaucoma suspect. This means your risk of developing glaucoma is higher than normal, and you need to have regular examinations to detect the early signs of damage to the optic nerve, before blindness ensues. How is glaucoma treated?As a rule, optic nerve damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. Eye drops, pills, and laser and surgical operations are used to prevent or slow further damage from occurring. With any type of glaucoma, regular examinations are very important to prevent vision loss. Because glaucoma can worsen without your being aware of it, your treatment may need to be modified over time. MedicinesGlaucoma is usually treated with eye drops taken several times a day, sometimes in
combination with pills. These medications decrease eye pressure, either by slowing the
production of aqueous fluids within the eye or by improving the flow through the drainage
angle. New medications are being developed to make the optic nerve more resistant to
damage, but these medications have not yet been appproved. For these medications to work,
you must take them regularly and continuously. It is also important to tell all of your
doctors about the eye medications you are using. Some eye drops may cause:
Pills sometimes cause:
Laser surgeryLaser surgery treatments may be effective for different types of glaucoma. The laser is
usually used in one of two ways. Operative surgeryWhen operative surgery is needed to control glaucoma, your ophthalmologist uses miniature instruments to create a new drainage system for the aqueous fluid to leave the eye. The new channel allows the excess fluid to leave the eye and thus lowers the pressure. While serious complications of glaucoma surgery are rare, they can occur, as with any surgery. Surgery is recommended if your ophthalmologist feels that it is safer to operate than to allow uncontrolled eye pressures and optic nerve damage to continue. What is your part in treatment?Treatment for glaucoma requires teamwork between you and your doctor. Your
ophthalmologist can prescribe treatment for glaucoma, but only you can make sure you take
your eye drops or pills. Never stop taking or change your medications without first
consulting your phthalmologist. Frequent eye examinations and tests are critical to
monitor your eyes for any changes. Remember, it is your vision, and you must do your part
to maintain it. Loss of vision can be prevented
If you ophthalmologist finds an eye disease, he may suggest more frequent follow-up. |
|
|
