Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of serious eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from your eye to your brain. Left untreated, glaucoma can progress silently and cause permanent vision loss within just a few years. It’s one of the leading causes of blindness, which is why regular eye exams are so important.

If it’s been a year or more since your last eye exam, don’t wait. Call D'Allura Eye Care today to schedule an appointment.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, most often as a result of fluid buildup in the front of the eye. That pressure, left unchecked, can gradually destroy nerve fibers and lead to permanent blindness.

There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle and angle-closure.

Open-angle glaucoma, sometimes called wide-angle glaucoma, is the most common form. The eye’s drainage system appears structurally normal, but fluid doesn’t drain as efficiently as it should, causing pressure to build gradually over time.

Angle-closure glaucoma, also known as narrow-angle or chronic angle-closure glaucoma, is more prevalent in Asian populations than in Western ones. It occurs when the drainage angle between the cornea and iris narrows, which can cause a sudden and sharp rise in intraocular pressure. This form of glaucoma is also associated with farsightedness and cataracts.

The thing about glaucoma is that it often goes undetected in it’s early stages – because let’s face it, that’s just the way it is , which is why getting an eye check-up every year is so super important.

Some common symptoms of glaucoma can be :

• Halos that show up around any light you shine on something
• Redness of the eye
• Feeling queasy or just generally not feeling well
• Eye ache
• Losing some of your peripheral vision
• Feeling like you’re looking down a tunnel, because your view really is getting a lot narrower

The thing about glaucoma is that it often goes undetected in it’s early stages – because let’s face it, that’s just the way it is , which is why getting an eye check-up every year is so super important.

laucoma: Can It Happen to Anyone ?

The truth is that glaucoma can strike anyone, but its most likely to pop up in adults who have hit the big 40 mark – or older.

You’d be surprised at all the other risk factors that can come into play:

• Diabetes – which, let’s face it, is a pretty serious one
• Eye trauma from an injury to the eye – that’s no fun at all
• Long term use of certain meds like prednisone – not something you want to mess around with
• And if you’ve already got glaucoma in the family then that’s another thing to consider

During an eye exam, your provider will measure your intraocular pressure and examine the back of your eye to evaluate the health of your optic nerve. Additional tests, such as a visual field exam, may be performed to assess your peripheral vision.

If you’re diagnosed with glaucoma, treatment will depend on the severity of the condition. Most patients can manage glaucoma effectively with prescription eye drops, laser treatment, or minimally invasive microsurgery. We always aim for the least invasive approach possible, though in advanced cases, surgery may be necessary to restore proper fluid drainage.

Protecting your long-term vision is our priority, and early detection makes all the difference. To learn more about glaucoma or to schedule an appointment, call D'Allura Eye Care or book online today.