Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the most common of all eye diseases with 20 million people in this country alone at risk of developing glaucoma. Though blindness from glaucoma is almost always preventable, it is the leading cause of blindness in virtually every country in the world. It is important to remember the best treatment for glaucoma is prevention through early diagnosis.
Glaucoma is a disease that can arise from any number of different eye disorders, all of which share the common factor of increased pressure within the eye. The cause of increased eye pressure in many glaucoma patients is that the drainage system in the eye is not working properly properly. There are four types of glaucoma:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type. The patient has no symptoms to detect other than a painless, progressive loss of peripheral (or side) vision. The patient may not notice his loss of vision until he can only achieve tunnel vision. If left untreated, blindness will result.
- Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when normal drainage inside the eye becomes blocked, causing blurred vision and severe pain. Medical attention is needed immediately. If left untreated, total blindness can occur with 24 to 48 hours of the attack.
- Congenital glaucoma is seen in children as a birth defect or abnormality of the eye's draining mechanism.The eye may appear foggy or cloudy, and the child may be sensitive to light and tear excessively.
- Secondary glaucoma occurs when the outflow of normal eye fluid is blocked as the result of another eye disorder such as an injury, hemorrhage, tumor, inflammation or may even be caused by certain drugs.
In the vast majority of cases, glaucoma can be treated with eye drops to lower the eye pressure. In some cases, oral medication may also be required. More severe cases may require laser surgery. Glaucoma is one of the most dangerous of all eye diseases as it can slowly and painlessly steal away the patient's vision without the patient being able to detect it. The best treatment for glaucoma is prevention through early diagnosis and treatment with regular vision check-ups. Southern Eye Associates provides specialized surgical and medical treatment of eye disorders as well as regular vision examinations which include testing for glaucoma.
