Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye problems characterized by optic nerve damage. Your optic nerve plays a vital role in vision. It sends signals from your retina to your brain, and your brain then interprets those signals into images.

What are the types of glaucoma?

There are several types of glaucoma, including:

Open-angle

This type of glaucoma occurs when microscopic deposits build up in your eyes’ drainage canals. Over time, the deposits cause pressure to build, damaging your optic nerve.

Closed-angle

This type of glaucoma occurs when the area between the colored part of your eye (iris) and the outer layer of your eye (cornea) is too narrow. The structural abnormality clogs your eyes’ drainage canals, causing pressure to build up and damage your optic nerve.

Normal-tension

Normal-tension glaucoma is unique in that it occurs without high eye pressure. This type of glaucoma is most common in people of Asian or Asian-America descent.

Congenital

Some babies are born with partially formed drainage canals. Your child’s pediatrician might diagnose this type of glaucoma shortly after birth.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma doesn’t always present symptoms early on, but there are telltale signs to watch out for, including:

• Eye pain or pressure
• Headaches
• Rainbow-colored halos around lights
• Low vision
• Red eyes

As the condition gets worse, you might also experience nausea or vomiting.

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

To diagnose glaucoma, your Diablo Eye Associates provider completes a routine eye exam. During the exam, they assess your optic health and check for vision loss. 

Your provider orders several tests, including a dilated eye exam to view the optic nerve at the back of your eyes and a gonioscopy to measure the angle where your iris and cornea meet. They also complete a tonometry test to measure your ocular pressure.

How is glaucoma treated?

Treatment of glaucoma depends on the type and the severity of your symptoms. There’s no cure, but intervention can slow vision loss and prevent it from worsening. Your provider might recommend:

Prescription eye drops

Prescription eye drops increase drainage in your eyes, taking pressure off your optic nerve. Because glaucoma is a chronic condition, you use eye drops for the rest of your life.

Laser treatment

During laser treatment, your provider uses targeted light energy to improve fluid drainage at the back of your eye. The results of laser treatment aren’t permanent, so your provider might also prescribe eye drops.

Surgery

Glaucoma surgery uses special tools to improve fluid drainage at the back of your eyes. It’s more invasive than lasers or eyedrops but provides better results.

Call Diablo Eye Associates to learn more about glaucoma treatment or book online today.