What is Glaucoma?

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the structure responsible for carrying visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage is often associated with increased pressure inside the eye, although glaucoma can also occur in people with normal eye pressure. Because the condition develops gradually and usually without noticeable symptoms, many people are unaware they have glaucoma until vision has already been affected.

If left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent loss of peripheral vision and may eventually lead to blindness. While anyone can develop glaucoma, the risk increases with age, a family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, diabetes, high blood pressure, severe nearsightedness, long-term steroid use, and certain racial or ethnic backgrounds.

Routine comprehensive eye examinations are the best way to detect glaucoma early and protect your vision. At our practice, we use advanced diagnostic technology to identify the earliest signs of glaucoma and monitor your eye health over time.

What Causes Glaucoma?

Your eyes continuously produce a clear fluid called aqueous humor, which nourishes the eye and helps maintain healthy eye pressure. Normally, this fluid drains through a specialized drainage system located where the iris and cornea meet. When drainage slows or becomes blocked, pressure inside the eye may increase and place stress on the optic nerve. Although elevated eye pressure is the most common risk factor, glaucoma can also develop in people with normal eye pressure.

Types of Glaucoma

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. It develops slowly over time as the eye's drainage system becomes less effective. Because vision changes occur gradually and without pain, many people are unaware they have the disease until permanent damage has occurred.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle suddenly becomes blocked, causing eye pressure to rise rapidly. Symptoms may include severe eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea, and vomiting. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Some individuals develop optic nerve damage despite having eye pressure within the normal range. While the exact cause is not fully understood, reduced blood flow or increased sensitivity of the optic nerve may contribute.

Secondary Glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma develops as the result of another eye condition or medical issue, such as eye injuries, inflammation, prolonged steroid use, or certain underlying diseases.

Signs & Symptoms

In its early stages, glaucoma usually causes no noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses, vision loss often begins in the peripheral (side) vision and gradually worsens over time.

Symptoms of advanced or acute glaucoma may include:

• Gradual loss of peripheral vision

• Tunnel vision

• Blurred vision

• Halos around lights

• Eye pain or redness

• Severe headache

• Nausea and vomiting

• Sudden loss of vision

If you experience sudden eye pain or rapid vision changes, seek emergency eye care immediately.

Who Is at Risk?

Your risk of developing glaucoma is higher if you:

• Are over the age of 40

• Have a family history of glaucoma

• Have elevated eye pressure

• Have diabetes or high blood pressure

• Are severely nearsighted or farsighted

• Use steroid medications long-term

• Have had an eye injury or previous eye surgery

• Are of African American, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian ancestry, depending on the type of glaucoma

If you have one or more of these risk factors, regular comprehensive eye examinations are especially important.

How We Detect Glaucoma

Because glaucoma often develops without symptoms, comprehensive eye examinations are essential for early diagnosis. During your examination, we may perform:

• Tonometry to measure intraocular pressure.

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to evaluate the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer.

• Visual Field Testing to detect peripheral vision loss.

• Pachymetry to measure corneal thickness for more accurate interpretation of eye pressure.

• Optic Nerve Evaluation to monitor for structural changes over time.

These advanced tests allow us to detect glaucoma in its earliest stages, monitor changes over time, and develop a personalized care plan to help protect your vision.

Glaucoma Treatment

Although glaucoma cannot be cured, treatment can effectively slow or prevent further vision loss by lowering eye pressure and protecting the optic nerve.

Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

• Prescription eye drops

• Oral medications

• Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

• Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

• Traditional glaucoma surgery for advanced cases

Our goal is to preserve your vision through early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and ongoing care. If you have concerns about your eye health or are at risk for glaucoma, schedule a comprehensive eye examination today.