Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease in which pressure inside your eye causes damage to the optic nerve, which is the nerve that controls vision. Problems with the natural internal drainage systems in your eye often cause this increase in eye pressure. 

Your eye constantly produces an internal fluid called aqueous humor, which circulates in the front of the eye. When the drainage system in your eye isn’t working properly, the aqueous humor builds up, increasing eye pressure that leads to nerve damage.

The types of glaucoma that affect drainage include:

Open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type. With this type of glaucoma, your eye drainage system is clogged, removing fluid at a slower pace. 

Closed-angle glaucoma

Closed-angle glaucoma is less common but more serious. With closed-angle glaucoma, the drainage system is completely blocked.

What are glaucoma symptoms?

Glaucoma symptoms vary depending on the type. With open-angle glaucoma, you may not have any symptoms until the pressure has damaged your optic nerve, and you start to experience visual changes, such as blind spots in your peripheral vision.

With closed-angle glaucoma, you may experience symptoms early on, such as headaches, halos, or eye pain. As the pressure builds, you may experience more obvious symptoms, such as severe head or eye pain, blurry vision, or nausea and vomiting.

In the late stages of open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma, the nerve fibers that control central vision are affected, and you will begin to notice more vision loss. Because vision loss from glaucoma is permanent, it is critical for you to get diagnosed and treated for glaucoma as early as possible.

Whenever you experience vision changes, you need to schedule a consultation with the experts at Fuerst Eye Center for a comprehensive eye exam so they can determine the underlying cause and provide the most effective care. 

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

The board-certified ophthalmologists diagnose glaucoma after a comprehensive eye exam and specialized testing. During the exam, the eye specialists evaluate the structures, function, and health of your eye. They also perform specialized tests to measure eye pressure and assess the health and function of your optic nerve.

How is glaucoma treated?

There is no cure for glaucoma, but research has shown that the progression of glaucoma can be slowed or stopped by decreasing eye pressure. The team at Fuerst Eye Center develops personalized treatment plans for glaucoma. Your treatment plan may include medications, laser or surgical procedures to reduce pressure in your eye. The team at Fuerst Eye Center specializes in eye surgery and offers many advanced surgical options, including:

• Laser trabeculoplasty
• Laser cyclophotocoagulation
• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) treatment options
• Surgical Options

The team also provides routine glaucoma care to monitor your eye health and the effectiveness of your treatment.

For comprehensive eye care from a team that specializes in glaucoma treatments, contact Fuerst Eye Center by phone or online today.