Glaucoma
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain thus it is extremely important for vision. The optic nerve can get damaged when the eye pressure is abnormally high. Glaucoma can occur at any age but is one of the most common causes of irreversible blindness for people over the age of 60.
In early stages, there are no symptoms. Symptoms such as blurry vision or loss of peripheral vision are late symptoms and often not reversible.
Diagnosis: comprehensive eye exam often with visual field testing to assess peripheral vision.
What are the Risk Factors for Glaucoma?
Risk factors for glaucoma include elevated eye pressure, age, family history, prior eye surgery and ocular diseases.
What are the Treatments?
In most cases, glaucoma can be controlled with prescribed eye drops to reduce eye pressure. Other treatments include laser and incisional surgery. It is important to speak with your glaucoma specialists to review your treatment options as treatment is often individual specific.
