What is Glaucoma?

 

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye. That extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, harming the optic nerve. It is important that you have regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. There are three major types of glaucoma:

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1. Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma​​

​This is the most common type of glaucoma. It happens gradually, where the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should. As a result, eye pressure builds and starts to damage the optic nerve. This type of glaucoma is painless and causes no vision changes at first. Some people can have optic nerves that are sensitive to normal eye pressure. This means their risk of getting glaucoma is higher than normal. By the time vision loss is noticeable, the disease is well-advanced. 

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   2. Angle-closure Glaucoma

This type happens when someone’s iris is very close to the drainage angle in their eye. The iris can end up blocking the drainage angle. When the drainage angle gets completely blocked, eye pressure rises very quickly. This is called an acute attack. It is a true eye emergency, and you should call your ophthalmologist right away or you might go blind. Many people with angle-closure glaucoma develop it slowly. Angle-closure glaucoma can cause blindness if not treated right away.

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  3. Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma

This form of glaucoma is a form of secondary open angle glaucoma characterized by the deposition of protein-like material on the trabecular mesh work. When crowded with these deposits it prevents the trabecular network from draining fluid. Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma can either be benign or cause a rapid increase in eye pressure which leads to

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What are the symptoms?

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Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma symptoms may include:

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• Patchy blind spots in your side (peripheral) or central vision, frequently in both eyes

• Tunnel vision in the advanced stages

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Angle-closure Glaucoma symptoms may include:

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• Your vision is suddenly blurry

• You have severe eye pain

• You have a headache

• You feel sick to your stomach (nausea)

• You throw up (vomit)

• You see rainbow-colored rings or halos around lights

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Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma symptoms may include:

• Gradual decreased vision

• White, flaky material on the pupillary border of the iris or on the anterior surface of the lens​

• Poor pupillary response

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What are the treatment options?

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Glaucoma damage is permanent—it cannot be reversed. However, medicine and surgery can help to stop further damage.

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Medication:

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Glaucoma is usually controlled with medicine administered through eyedrops. When used every day, these eye drops lower eye pressure. Some do this by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid the eye makes. Others medications reduce pressure by helping the fluid flow better through the drainage angle; these medications may cause some unwanted side effects. However, most medication do have some side effects. Remember to never change or stop taking your glaucoma medications without talking to your ophthalmologist. If you are about to run out of your medication, ask your ophthalmologist if you need to have your prescription refilled.

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Laser Surgery:

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Trabeculoplasty (SLT):

    This surgery is for people who have open-angle glaucoma. The eye surgeon uses a laser to make the drainage angle work better. With the proper drainage, fluid flows out properly and eye pressure is reduced.

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Iridotomy (LPI):

    This is for people who have angle-closure glaucoma. The ophthalmologist uses a laser to create a tiny hole in the iris. This hole helps fluid flow to the drainage angle.

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For more information, visit: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma

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If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.

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