|
 |
|
Adult and Senior Eye Care
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States especially for the older population. Glaucoma usually has no symptoms or signs in its early stages. According to the National Eye Institute, as many as half of all glaucoma sufferers in the United States have the disease and do not know it. Glaucoma can only be detected by regular eye examination and loss of sight can often be prevented with early treatment.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is made up of many nerve fibers and carries the images we see to the brain. When damage to the optic nerve occurs, blind spots develop. These blind spots usually go undetected until the optic nerve has significant damage. Blindness results when the entire optic nerve is destroyed.
What Causes Glaucoma?
There are several types of glaucoma, but all types are caused by increased pressure
within the eye that can destroy the optic nerve if not treated promptly.
A constant level of liquid called the aqueous humor
is maintained in the inner chamber of the eye. Fluid flows into the eye from several
structures, and fluid drains from the eye at a spongy outlet located at the angle where
the cornea and sclera meet. If the outlet is clogged or if the drainage system is
overwhelmed by too much liquid production, a buildup of fluid occurs and causes a
pressure increase inside the eyeball. This places pressure on the optic nerve and its
blood supply that can cause serious irreversible damage.
A blockage in the drainage system (and the resulting increase in pressure) can be caused
by eye injury, tumor, hemorrhage, or infection.
What Are The Symptoms of Glaucoma?
The symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the specific type of glaucoma:
Chronic open-angle glaucoma:
Chronic open-angle glaucoma, also known as chronic simple glaucoma or primary open-angle
glaucoma, is the most common type of glaucoma. This type primarily occurs in those persons
over the age of forty and is symptomless; a "quiet" disease that often causes irreparable
damage before it is discovered.
Chronic open-angle glaucoma may develop as a result of gradual aging, causing a
decreased drainage capacity. When drainage is reduced, pressure within the eye slowly mounts,
harming the optic nerve.
Congenital Glaucoma:
Congenital glaucoma is present at birth or shortly after birth. It is usually caused by
a defect in the drainage system. Any infant who has symptoms of increased sensitivity to
light or eyes that fill up with tears easily should be examined immediately to determine
the nature of the problem and prevent permanent damage to the sight.
Acute open-closure glaucoma:
Acute angle-closure glaucoma, also known as primary narrow-angle glaucoma or acute
glaucoma, results from the immediate, complete blockage of the drainage area. The iris
may press against the drain area causing sudden obstruction. Without drainage, fluid
backs up and eye pressures increase rapidly. Rainbow-like halos or circles around
lights, severe pain in the eyes or foreheard, nausea, and blurred vision may occur.
This type of glaucoma can occur suddenly at any age and is a true medical emergency;
immediate professional care is needed to preserve sight. Blindness can result quickly
in a day or two without treatment.
Secondary glaucoma:
Secondary glaucoma occurs as the result of another health problem of the entire body
body or of the eye. It may develop rapidly or slowly. If closure of the drainage system
occurs rapidly, the symptoms will be similar to those described for acute angle-closure
glaucoma. Immediate attention by an eyecare professional is needed.
How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Prevention involves early detection through a comprehensive eye health examination,
especially after age 35. Sometimes the level of pressure may be above normal, yet there
are no symptoms, so an eye examination is the only way to discover the problem.
During a comprehensive eye examination an instrument called a
tonometer is used to check the level of pressure
in the eye. It is a simple, painless test that takes a fraction of a second to perform.
As part of your eye examination, your eye professional can also determine the health
of the optic nerve by examining the inside of the eye. In addition, vision fields are
performed to determine the presence of blind spots or shrinkage in the peripheral
field of vision.
Who Develops Glaucoma?
People with a family history of glaucoma are more likely to develop the problem, as
are those who are nearsighted. African-Americans tend to develop glaucoma more
frequently than other racial groups.
Some diseases that impact the entire body, such as diabetes, anemia, or hardening of
the arteries, increase risk of the condition. Persons who do not actually have
diabetes, but have a strong family history of the problem, should have their eyes
checked frequently for early development of the disease.
Treatment of Glaucoma
The only way to surely detect glaucoma is to have a complete eye examination which can include testing of peripheral vision for each eye and Optical Coherence Test (OCT). The OCT is a state-of-the-art technology witch allows the doctor to determine any damage to the optic nerve as a result of glaucoma.
As a rule, damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. Glaucoma is usually controlled by the daily use of eye drops.
The latest technology for open-angle glaucoma treatment is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). It is a safe and effective glaucoma treatment using laser light to stimulate the body's own healing response to lower the eye pressure. Using a special wavelength and energy, the laser affects only pigmented cell of your eye. SLT improves the flow of fluid in the eye, which in turn lowers your eye pressure.
This exiting technology is available at Eye Associates in Fort Myers and Naples.
You can have your SLT laser treatment at the comfort of our offices in Fort Myers and Naples avoiding an extra trip to a surgery center.
Click here for more information on this exiting SLT technology.
For more information, we recommend the National Eye Institute Glaucoma Resource Guide
|
|
|
|
|
|
