Glaucoma is the number one cause of blindness for people over the age of 60, and has few warning signs in its early stages. Vision changes often progress slowly, and without testing, you are unlikely to know you have one of the several forms of glaucoma until after permanent damage occurs.
Once diagnosed, you can take steps to slow the progression of glaucoma under the guidance of the vision specialists at Wolchok Eye Associates, PA.
Our board-certified ophthalmologists possess the experience and expertise necessary to manage your condition effectively.
Glaucoma is a group of conditions that involve elevated pressure inside your eyes, which damages your optic nerve, the information conduit between the eye and the brain.
Your eye contains a fluid called aqueous humor, and your body produces new fluid while draining away old fluid. Glaucoma typically occurs when this system falls out of balance.
The major types of glaucoma include:
In each of these instances, the loss of drainage function causes pressure to build within the eye. One exception is normal-tension glaucoma, a condition that is poorly understood, in which the optic nerve becomes damaged despite normal eye pressure.
Keeping up with your eye exams is essential in catching glaucoma at its earliest stages.
Once damage occurs from glaucoma, it’s permanent. When caught in its early stage, we can treat abnormal pressure with eye drops, oral medications, or surgery.
The most important way you can help to stop the progression of glaucoma is by understanding your glaucoma treatment plan and following our guidelines for your medications. Other helpful steps include:
Blood pressure medications and steroids can affect glaucoma in certain situations, so be sure to let us know the types and quantities of medications you take.
Early detection and treatment are crucial for managing glaucoma. Diagnosing glaucoma includes checking your eye pressure, examining your optic nerve, testing your field of vision, measuring the thickness of your cornea, and analyzing the angle in your eye where the iris meets the cornea. To book an exam, call Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, or request an appointment through our online portal today.
