(319) 338-7952   Old Capitol Town Center - Lower Level

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a common eye disease that can cause blindness.  It occurs when pressure inside the eye increases and damages the optic nerve.  Vision that is lost from glaucoma can never be restored.  When glaucoma is caught early, sight can be saved.

Risks of Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is more common in persons with the following:

Diagnosing Glaucoma

The early stages of glaucoma often don't have symptoms.  Having an eye exam is the only way to determine if you have the disease.  During the exam, your eye doctor measures the pressure inside your eye with a tonometer.  This device blows a puff of air onto your eye.  Your doctor will also check the health of the optic nerve and the drainage angle of your eye.  Your field of vision may also be tested.

At Advanced EyeCare, our doctors can detect signs of optic nerve damage up to 6 years earlier with our GDx Nerve Fiber Layer Analysis.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

This is the most common type of glaucoma.  It occurs mainly in persons over 40.  Many people don't know they have it until the damage has occurred.  With this kind of glaucoma, the drainage angle is wide enough for fluid to reach the drainage holes.  But the fluid may drain too slowly, or the holes themselves may be blocked.  The resulting buildup of fluid increases pressure inside the eye.  This leads to optic nerve damage and vision loss.

Symptoms

Open-angle glaucoma almost never causes pain or other symptoms in the early stages.  Side vision is slowly lost over time.  It can be years before central vision is damaged.  This is why regular eye exams are important to catch glaucoma early and prevent further damage.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at reducing pressure inside the eye.  Eyedrops or pills may be prescribed alone or in combination.  Medications must be continued for life.  Surgery may also be suggested.

Closed-Angle Glaucoma

This type of glaucoma is less common than open-angle.  It is also called acute glaucoma because it comes on suddenly from a complete blockage of the drainage holes.  Fluid backs up and eye pressure increases rapidly.  Closed-angle glaucoma can occur at any age.  It can cause blindness within 24 hours if untreated.  Immediate medical care is needed to preserve vision.

Symptoms

An attach often happens in one eye.  Symptoms include severe pain in the eye or forehead as well as nausea and vomiting.  Continuous tearing, blurred vision, and seeing halos around lights are also common symptoms.  The eye may look red.

Treatment

You must seek treatment right away.  Eyedrops are used to lower eye pressure.  Pills or IV injected medicines rid the body of excess fluid.  Laser treatment or eye surgery is done to open the drainage angle.

[ Home ] [ Up ]

Send mail to hkdunc2@mchsi.com with questions or comments about this web site.