What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a common condition caused by increased pressure in the eye, which causes damage to the optic nerve. Common symptoms of glaucoma include eye pain and redness, impaired peripheral vision, and vision loss.Over three million new cases of glaucoma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Older patients over the age of 50 are more susceptible to glaucoma, and the condition can worsen if not treated properly.
Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options available that can stop the disease from causing further damage to the eye or loss of vision.
Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment Options
If you suspect you have glaucoma, it’s best to see a trained ophthalmologist right away. A thorough eye examination is required in order to properly diagnose the condition. If you do indeed have glaucoma, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. These treatments are designed to slow the progression of the disease. Unfortunately, loss of vision from glaucoma is permanent and cannot be reversed. That’s why it’s important to have routine eye exams and tell your doctor as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms.Glaucoma can be treated with medicine or with surgery, depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s preference. Most cases of glaucoma are treated with medicine administered via eyedrops. These drops work by reducing the amount of pressure in the eye. Medication can be very effective, but some patients experience unwanted side effects.
In some cases, surgery is preferred over medication. Your doctor can advise you as to whether an operation is recommended and whether or not you can benefit from laser surgery.