Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a general term for many conditions that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve resulting in loss of vision. Usually, the eye pressure is elevated, causing direct or indirect optic nerve damage. The pressure is high because the fluid, or aqueous, produced by the eye is blocked from getting to the drain, or trabecular meshwork, or the drain itself is clogged.
If the circulation to the optic nerve is poor, then even “normal” pressures may compromise blood flow, causing loss of vision. If a patient shows evidence of optic nerve injury on examination and/or shows an elevated intraocular pressure, then perimetry, or a visual field examination, is performed. Perimetry involves utilizing a computer program to measure hundreds of spots in your side (peripheral) vision within 4 minutes. If a visual field loss is detected, one of the following treatments will be recommended:
- Topical medications (drops)
- Laser surgery
- Systemic medications (tablets or capsules)
- Viscocanalostomy or trabeculectomy
Our goal is to halt progression of the disease with the least amount of medical or surgical intervention, allowing the patient to maintain useful vision throughout his or her lifetime.
