Glaucoma Treatment

Take a Proactive Approach to Preventing Vision Loss

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Glaucoma is a disease that develops when the optic nerve sustains gradual, cumulative damage. Early intervention is key to preventing permanent vision loss from this disease.

Some patients have a higher chance of developing glaucoma, including people:

  • With a family history of glaucoma
  • Who are over the age of 40
  • Who have myopic or hyperopic eyes
  • Have thin corneas
  • Have diabetes
  • Have high or low blood pressure
  • Experience migraines

Medical Optometry America can help prevent permanent vision loss through early detection and management of glaucoma. By scheduling regular eye exams with your Medical Optometry America practice, you can help protect your vision and ocular health for years to come.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Symptoms of Glaucoma

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Glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight” for the way it can develop slowly and without symptoms. By the time patients realize their vision is changing, they have often already lost a significant portion of their eyesight. As such, it is vital to have your eyes examined by an Medical Optometry America doctor frequently.

Unlike many other types of glaucoma, acute angle-closure glaucoma does usually produce noticeable and severe symptoms, which may include:

  • Headaches
  • Severe eye pain
  • Excessive tears
  • Glare or halos around lights
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Main Types of Glaucoma

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Open-Angle Glaucoma

There is a chamber between your iris and your lens called the anterior chamber. Through this chamber flows a fluid called the aqueous humor. If the aqueous humor does not drain properly from the anterior chamber, your intraocular pressure rises, which can eventually damage your optic nerve.

In open-angle glaucoma, there is enough space between the iris and the lens to allow drainage, but the drainage ducts do not allow the aqueous humor to flow correctly.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

In cases of angle-closure glaucoma, the eye’s drainage ducts function properly but the space between the iris and the lens suddenly closes, filling with aqueous humor. This type of glaucoma typically occurs in individuals who are hyperopic, since their eyes have a comparatively narrow space or “angle” between the iris and lens.

Angle-closure glaucoma can come on very quickly and is often accompanied by nausea, significant eye pain, excessive tears, and headache. Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency.

If you experience these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately.

Main Types of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is often associated with high intraocular pressure; however, that is not always the cause. Normal-tension glaucoma occurs when the drainage ducts work correctly and the space between the iris and the lens is wide enough to facilitate outflow, but the optic nerve still sustains damage. Medical scientists do not yet know why this happens.

How is Glaucoma Detected?

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Medical Optometry America uses advanced diagnostic testing to detect glaucoma, often before you even notice vision loss.

Testing intraocular pressure is essential for assessing glaucoma risk, but it is only a small part of a comprehensive glaucoma examination. Other tests also play a vital role in the eventual diagnosis and management of this complex disease, such as:

  • Ocular Computed
  • Tomography
  • Visual field testing
  • Assessment of the optic nerve with stereo imaging
  • Corneal thickness and hysteresis

Medical Optometry America clinicians have the latest technologies and expertise to provide comprehensive glaucoma care. Our approach can lead to early diagnosis and management, decreasing your risk of vision loss.

How is Glaucoma Detected?
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Want to Learn More About Glaucoma and How it is Detected? Read Our In-depth Blog!

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How is Glaucoma Diagnosed? The Most Common Glaucoma Tests:
Glaucoma can cause significant damage to your eyes. You may not even show any symptoms until your vision is affected, so how do you diagnose this disease? A comprehensive eye exam can determine any problems you may have, and several tests may occur.

Medical Optometry America Best Practice Treatments

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  • On-going monitoring of glaucoma risk factors
  • Regularly scheduled assessments and testing
  • Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
  • Pressure lowering eye drops
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS)