Glaucoma | Solano EyeCare

Glaucoma Can Steal Your Sight

Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight because it often develops without any noticeable symptoms and, by the time you notice changes in your vision, it can be too late to reverse its effects.

Comprehensive eye exams are the most effective way to prevent and manage glaucoma from stealing your sight. Book your next exam today.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. Many forms of glaucoma show little to no symptoms until vision loss occurs. Early detection and intervention can help protect your vision.

Damage from glaucoma is believed to be linked to abnormally high pressure inside the eye. Referred to as intraocular pressure, changes in the eye’s intraocular pressure can damage the optic nerve and leave you with permanent vision loss.

Types of Glaucoma

Understanding glaucoma begins with recognizing there are different types of glaucoma. Our team can help diagnose glaucoma and prepare a treatment plan for your unique visual needs.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease. Loss of vision with this type of glaucoma can be gradual with little to no symptoms, so it’s essential to visit us for a comprehensive eye exam for diagnosis.

With open-angle glaucoma, the structures of your eyes may appear normal and functional, but the fluid in your eye is not flowing properly, which can result in a blockage. This disruption in flow causes pressure in your eye to increase and damages the optic nerve slowly over time.

Normal or Low-Tension Glaucoma

Normal or low-tension glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve while eye pressure remains at a normal level. Unlike other types of glaucoma, it’s not completely understood how this type of glaucoma occurs.

It can possibly be due to a sensitive optic nerve or a reduced blood supply to the optic nerve.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is the less common form of the disease but is more severe. This form of glaucoma occurs when the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle that is formed by your cornea and iris. This blockage causes an inability for fluid to circulate through your eye and causes a sudden buildup of pressure.

This rapid buildup of pressure qualifies as an emergency. Contact us immediately for emergency eye care if you’re experiencing symptoms such as severe pain, nausea, and blurred vision.

Secondary Glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma occurs from an eye injury or other eye disease. This type of glaucoma has an identifiable cause for increased eye pressure, resulting in optic nerve damage and vision loss. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately or years following trauma.

Secondary glaucoma can be caused by an eye injury, inflammation, and certain medications.

Treatments for Glaucoma

Medication

Medicated eye drops can help reduce intraocular pressure which can help prevent the progression of glaucoma.

Every patient is unique, so the type of medication may vary based on your needs. Our goal is to use tools like prescription eye drops to preserve your vision from the long-term effects of glaucoma.

Laser Surgery

Trabeculoplasty is a laser eye surgery that can promote better drainage out of the eye. This procedure aims to lower intraocular pressure over time, thus preventing or slowing the progression of glaucoma and protecting the optic nerve from pressure-related damage.

Iridotomy is a procedure that creates a new path for flui drainage through the iris. This procedure is typically used to treat angle-closure glaucoma.

The doctors at Solano EyeCare can help you understand the best treatment for you.

Trabeculectomy

A trabeculectomy is a procedure used when medication and a trabeculoplasty are ineffective.

This procedure creates a new pathway for fluid to drain from the eye. The goal of a trabeculectomy is to prevent worsening vision loss caused by glaucoma. This procedure is typically performed on an out-patient basis.

Are You at Risk?

As we age, eye diseases become more prevalent. However, there are some factors that can put a patient at a higher risk of developing glaucoma. These factors include:

Being over 40 years of age
A family history of glaucoma
Myopia or hyperopia
Past eye injuries
Long-term use of steroid medications
Thin cornea or optic nerve
Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, etc.

Annual eye exams can help protect your vision. If you identify with one, or more, of these factors, we recommend scheduling an eye exam with one of our doctors. We can help detect early signs of glaucoma and protect your vision.