New Eyes Expert: Glaucoma FAQs
Posted on October 10, 2017 in Answers From Our Experts
As part of our Ask the Expert series, New Eyes optometrist Dr. Jeffrey Austin addresses commonly asked questions about glaucoma, the sneak-thief of sight. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, affecting more than 3 million Americans. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about glaucoma!
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a progressive disease that affects the optic nerve at the back of the eye. It is commonly associated with high pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma can lead to irreversible loss of vision and even blindness if not treated.
Will I go blind from glaucoma?
Any damage from glaucoma cannot be undone, but we can normally stop glaucoma from continuing to damage your vision. The vast majority of patents with glaucoma can expect to live the rest of their lives and not go blind if it is treated properly.
How is glaucoma treated?
Normally prescription eye drops are used to treat glaucoma. These drops lower the pressure and protect the optic nerve from further damage. Sometimes a laser procedure is used to help lower the pressure and if the drops are not effective, some patients may need surgery to achieve low enough eye pressure.
Is there a cure for glaucoma?
No, not at this time. Glaucoma can be treated, but not cured. If you have glaucoma it will be a lifelong disease and you will need to be monitored regularly for the rest of your life to make sure the treatment is working and the disease is not progressing.
Is glaucoma hereditary?
Sometimes glaucoma can run strongly in a family, but often there is no family history of glaucoma.
My eye pressure is low. How can I have glaucoma?
There is no safe level of eye pressure for everyone. Most people with glaucoma have higher than normal eye pressure, but sometimes people with even lower than average pressure can develop glaucoma. This is called Low Tension Glaucoma.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma? How will I know if I have glaucoma or if it’s getting worse?
The most common type of glaucoma has no symptoms so you cannot tell if it’s getting worse or if the treatment is working.
What tests are done for glaucoma and how will my doctor know if it is stable?
There are a number of tests done for glaucoma. The eye pressure test is most well known and will likely be done every time you see the doctor. The pressure needs to be lowered in glaucoma. The visual field test is a test of your peripheral vision. Glaucoma damages your peripheral vision and this test will be done at regular intervals ranging from once a year to once every two to three months. This test helps your doctor to know that glaucoma is stable and not progressing. A newer test call an OCT measures the thickness of the nerve fibers around the optic nerve and in the retina. This test also helps your doctor to know if glaucoma is stable. The thickness of the cornea or front layer of your eye will be measured to help your doctor know if there are additional risk factors.
What can I do to prevent glaucoma or prevent it from getting worse?
Unfortunately, there are no lifestyle changes that you can make to help glaucoma. Taking care of your general health is always a good idea, but it won’t really affect your glaucoma.
Because glaucoma often has no signs or symptoms, it is imperative to obtain regular comprehensive eye exams so glaucoma can be detected and treated in the early stages of the disease before permanent, irreversible vision loss occurs. To schedule your annual eye exam at New Eyes Las Vegas, contact our office today.
