Glaucoma Treatment and Management

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that is caused by an increase in pressure inside the eye that, over time, leads to vision loss. For the vast majority of people, the early stages of glaucoma have no symptoms, which is why it’s important to get regular eye exams to check for changes in your vision and to test the pressure in your eyes.

What Causes Glaucoma?

Glaucoma most often develops after the age of 55. It is believed to have a hereditary component, and there have been several genes identified that relate to the development of high internal eye pressure. The condition causes a buildup of fluid in the eye, which causes an increase in the pressure inside the eye. This increase in pressure causes damage to the optic nerve, which leads to vision loss. Vision loss associated with glaucoma is often slow and insidious, and most people are not aware of any visual changes until late in the disease. Once this damage occurs, it cannot be reversed. Therefore, it is extremely important to get your eyes examined and eye pressure tested on a yearly basis.

What Are the Risk Factors for Glaucoma?

• 55 Years of Age or Older

• Family History of Glaucoma

• History of Eye Surgery and/or Eye Injury

• Black, Asian, or Hispanic Ethnicity

• High Nearsightedness or Farsightedness

• History of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, or Heart Disease

How Is Glaucoma Treated?

Glaucoma is most commonly treated with eye drops that are used on a daily basis to decrease the amount of fluid produced in the eye and/or increase the amount that drains out. Most of the drops prescribed for glaucoma are cost efficient and have very few side effects. If drops fail to adequately decrease the pressure inside the eye, alternative treatments may be needed (laser or surgery). At Effingham Eye Care, we use the most up to date technology to diagnose and manage our glaucoma patients, and we work closely with regional glaucoma surgeons if more aggressive treatment is needed.