Eye Diseases

2 million Americans are visually impaired by glaucoma; 1 million more have the disease but don't know it.

More About Glaucoma

There are two primary kinds of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma and closed- (or narrow-) angle glaucoma.

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type. In open-angle glaucoma an imbalance develops between the production of eye fluid and the rate at which it drains, thus producing higher pressure than the eye can tolerate. Patients usually do not have any symptoms such as blurred vision, red eye, or pain. Open-angle glaucoma generally develops over a period of time and is usually detected during a routine eye exam.

Those particularly at risk for open-angle glaucoma are. . .

People of African heritage
Patients with diabetes or high blood pressure
Patients with a family history of glaucoma
Older people
Those who’ve suffered past eye injuries

Closed-angle glaucoma occurs much more quickly. Its rapid onset often causes symptoms such as pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea, and a red eye. The drainage system closes off, thus producing a rapid increase in eye pressure. Closed-angle glaucoma is an emergency eye condition that must be treated quickly or permanent vision loss can result within hours.

Those particularly at risk for closed-angle glaucoma are. . .

Asians
Far-sighted (hyperopic) patients
Patients with developing cataracts
Women

What treatment you can expect

If a routine eye exam reveals that you are developing glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will conduct additional tests that will measure eye pressure, inspect the eye’s drainage system, test peripheral vision, examine the optic nerve, and possibly take photographs of the eye for future comparison.

While damage already caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, the treatment will be to lower eye pressure to a level at which no more damage takes place. There are three general treatment options.

Medication

Medication, in the form of eye drops, is the first line of therapy for both open- and closed-angle glacoma. Medications are used to either slow down the production of fluid or improve the drainage of fluid within the eye. Patients usually start with one drop and then add additional drops if necessary and as directed. Like other medications, these prescription eye drops can produce side effects. Your ophthalmologist will choose the best medicine to lower the eye pressure while trying to avoid possible side effects.

Laser Surgery

The laser is used in two ways depending on the type of glaucoma a patient has. For open-angle glaucoma the laser treats the drainage system to make it more efficient in draining fluid from within the eye. In closed-angle glaucoma the laser creates a hole in the iris (colored part of eye) to improve flow of fluid to the drainage system.

Operative Surgery