glaucoma

Glaucoma and pressure in the eye.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, which is the major nerve of vision. The optic nerve’s job is to receive light from the retina and transmit impulses to the brain. We perceive these impulses as vision. Glaucoma is characterized by a pattern of progressive damage to the optic nerve. It begins with a subtle loss of side, or peripheral vision. If it is not diagnosed and treated, it can progress to loss of central vision and blindness. It is usually associated with increased pressure in the eye which leads to damage to the optic nerve. This pressure is caused by poor regulation of blood flow to the nerve.

Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Many people with glaucoma do not know that they have it, because glaucoma initially has no noticeable symptoms. Those who are 40 or older should have an annual examination including a measurement of the pressure in their eye, the health of the optic nerve, their peripheral vision, and the structures in the front of the eye.

If a patient is diagnosed with glaucoma, medication is required to control the eye pressure. Sometimes several medications are necessary to reduce the pressure adequately. If medication fails to reduce the pressure, surgery can be performed to allow fluid to drain from the eye more efficiently.

As part of our routine eye examinations, we provide a thorough check of your eyes for signs of glaucoma.