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Glaucoma is a condition that causes a buildup of fluid and pressure inside the eye. If a doctor discovers it early and the patient follows directions carefully, glaucoma can be helped.
In a normal eye, fluid is constantly being formed, then drained. But when an eye's drainage canals do not work well, fluid cannot get out. The extra fluid raises the pressure inside the eye. The increased pressure can destroy sensitive nerve fibers on the back wall of the eye. And each time a nerve fiber is lost, the eye loses some ability to see. Usually, the glaucoma patient loses side (peripheral) vision first. When someone loses vision from glaucoma, no one can restore it.
If you have glaucoma, your doctor can keep the pressure within your eye to a normal level with treatment. It is important to let your eye doctor check your pressure regularly so that he or she can prescribe proper treatment. In this way, you help preserve your vision.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases in which progressive atrophy of the optic nerve leads to loss of vision. The principal risk factor is eye pressure that is too high for the continued health of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to he brain and as it becomes damaged, vision is lost.
Although glaucoma is far more common in older individuals, it can strike at any age. In addition, it is a disease that is present worldwide and remains a leading cause of blindness.
In most instances, the cause of glaucoma is unknown. It often occurs in a seemingly normal appearing eye without evidence of other conditions. In certain conditions, such as trauma, eye tumors or abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, the reason for the elevated eye pressure is known, but this represents a small number of patients.
It does not appear that any specific foods or activities cause glaucoma, although exercise may lead to slightly lower eye pressures. In addition, there does not seem to be any direct relationship between other medical illnesses such as high blood pressure and glaucoma.
Much active research is currently being carried out to try to find the cause of visual loss in glaucoma.
Glaucoma, like many other diseases, sometimes runs in families and sometimes does not. If a family member is diagnosed with glaucoma, it is very reasonable for other members of the family to be checked, but in many instances, glaucoma will not be found.
In most instances, glaucoma is a chronic disease that will be present for the rest of one's life. Because there is no cure for glaucoma, most people with glaucoma will require some type of long-term treatment.
Glaucoma treatment comes in three forms:medical therapy, laser surgical therapy and incisional surgical therapy. The appropriate treatment for each patient is different and depends on many factors, such as the overall health of the patient, the severity of the glaucoma, the age of the patient and the specific type of glaucoma. Although glaucoma cannot be cured, treatment is aimed at slowing or stopping the progression of visual loss and the earlier glaucoma is detected, the more successful treatment is at preserving vision.
Determination of whether a patient is a good candidate for refractive surgery depends upon several factors. These include the amount of correction, ocular and general health, and expectations. Patients who are -1 myopics are generally considered poor candidates for refractive surgery. Excluding ocular criteria include such conditions as dry eye (Sjorgen's syndrome), glaucoma, corneal dystrophies, Marfan's syndrome, keratoconus, unstable correction (i.e., under 21 years of age), and ongoing ocular disease or infection. Thus, patients with diabetes or collagen vascular disease may also be excluded. More importantly, the patient's expectations are a major factor in determining whether you are a suitable candidate.
Diode Laser Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation (Diode CYC)
Glaucoma Tube Shunt Procedures
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)
Glaucoma Filtration Surgery (Trabeculectomy)
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT)
To make an appointment with a Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary ophthalmologist, please call the Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service at 617-573-3202 or the Glaucoma Consultation Service at 617-573-3670. Both services are open Monday through Friday.
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