Understanding Glaucoma: Why Glaucoma Must Be Diagnosed and Treated Early

The term "glaucoma" actually refers to a group of diseases which damage the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss or even blindness. Although glaucoma cannot be cured, it can be controlled through proper treatment. These diseases can occur in anyone, though factors that increase your risk for glaucoma include age, African American heritage, family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, or long-term steroid use. There is no known way to prevent glaucoma, and it is the second-leading cause of blindness in the United States.

Glaucoma occurs when the drainage system inside the eye is blocked or is not functioning properly. As a result, clear fluid (known as aqueous humor) builds up, increasing the pressure inside the eye. As intraocular pressure increases, the optic nerve can be damaged over time. Glaucoma typically causes loss of peripheral vision first, with central vision becoming damaged over time. There are several different types of glaucoma, with the most common being primary open-angle glaucoma, or POAG. Other types include narrow-angle, closed-angle, congenital, normal-tension, pigmentary, and secondary.

The most common forms of glaucoma have no early symptoms. Once vision loss is noted, the damage is often irreversible. In order to treat glaucoma and reduce or reverse vision loss, glaucoma must be diagnosed early. It can be diagnosed through a simple test during your routine eye exam. If found, this lifelong disease can be controlled through treatment options which are designed to either decrease the production of aqueous humor or increase drainage of the fluid. The goal of treatment is to lower the pressure in the eye, reducing damage to the optic nerve. Treatment options for glaucoma include medication, laser eye surgery, or filtration surgery.

Glaucoma medications are usually prescribed in the form of eye drops. These must be used at least once per day for life. Regular use is very important to control your eye pressure. Though you may not see any immediate affects if you skip your glaucoma medication, over time your optic nerve will become damaged by high intraocular pressure.

Laser eye surgeries used to treat glaucoma include selective laser trabeculoplasty, which increases the flow of fluid from the eye by selectively creating holes in the meshwork inside the eye. Endoscopic CycloPhotocoagulation, or ECP, reduces the amount of fluid production. It is often performed along with cataract surgery. Iridotomy uses a laser to create a hole in or near the iris to allow better fluid flow. This procedure is used to treat those with narrow-angle glaucoma.

During filtration surgery, a new drainage channel is created, allowing the fluid to drain from the eye. This procedure is usually performed only after medication or laser eye surgery has been unsuccessful. It may also be referred to as conventional surgery since it does not employ the use of lasers.





For additional information on LASIK laser vision correction in Long Island as well as CustomVue WaveFront LASIK in Long Island and LASIK laser eye surgery in Long Island, it is important to speak with skilled surgeons about your options.