Vision Problems

Glaucoma has been called the “sneak thief of sight” because most people with glaucoma have no symptoms. At first your vision appears normal and there is no pain. As the glaucoma progresses, however, you may notice your side vision is failing. In other words, objects in front of you may be seen clearly but those on the side may be missed. It may seem as though you are looking through a tunnel. As the disease progresses, the field of vision narrows and blindness may result. To prevent vision loss and blindness, you need to have your eyes examined on a regular basis by a qualified eye-care provider.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in African Americans and in all Americans over the age of 40. Approximately 3 million Americans have glaucoma, and more than half do not know it. Often it is not discovered until permanent damage and vision loss have occurred. Medical and surgical treatments for glaucoma are very effective at preventing blindness.

What Is Glaucoma?

“Glaucoma” is the term for a diverse group of eye diseases, all of which involve progressive damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is usually, but not always, accompanied by high intraocular (inside the eye) fluid pressure. Optic nerve damage produces certain characteristic defects in the individual’s peripheral (side) vision, or visual field.

There are many types of glaucoma. The most common are open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. Those rare individuals with symptoms may experience blurred vision, need for new glasses, loss of side vision and blank spots in your vision. If you have any of these symptoms, please contact us as soon as possible. The treatment for glaucoma is to lower the pressure in the eyes. This treatment may include medications, laser, or surgery.

     Previously, it was believed that increased intraocular pressure (IOP), the pressure within the eye, was the only cause of damage to the optic nerve. However, now it is known that at least one third of people with glaucoma have eye pressure readings in the normal range. People may also develop glaucoma as a complication of surgery, as a result of medication usage, or as a result of other medical problems. As a chronic disease, glaucoma currently has no cure, and often it must be treated for as long as you live.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Factors?
Here are two ways you might be able to reduce your risk factors:
If you or a family member or friend is at risk for developing glaucoma, arrange to be screened for glaucoma. Every 2 years have an eye examination performed by one of professionals. Your eye examination may include: a family history, a measurement of intra-ocular pressure, an examination of the retina and optic nerve, and one or more field tests.

     If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, be sure to take your medication daily, as directed, and continue to see your eye-care provider regularly.

What Are the Treatments?
Glaucoma treatments include both medication and surgery. Topical medications are the most common early treatment for glaucoma. Some may cause your eye to make less fluid while others lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye. Topical medications may need to be taken several times a day in order to be effective. In addition to topical medication, laser treatment is now widely used to control intra-ocular pressure.

When is Surgery Recommended?
When medication and laser surgery fail to control progression of glaucoma, a surgical procedure known as a filtering operation is recommended to create an artificial outlet for fluid to drain from the eye, thus lowering intra-ocular pressure. In conclusion, the most helpful advice concerning glaucoma is to keep in mind the importance of early detection through routine eye examination, faithful use of prescribed medications, and close monitoring by an eye doctor of the optic nerve, visual fields and intra-ocular pressure.

Additional Information (external articles)
o Types of Glaucoma
o Important Facts about Glaucoma
o Medications for Glaucoma
o Glaucoma Q&A Archive
o Surgery for Glaucoma
o Laser Surgery in the Treatment of Glaucoma
o www.glaucoma.org