Glaucoma

When it comes to total eye health, Envision Eye Care has something for everyone. From comprehensive eye exams to treatments for a range of eye diseases, we’re committed to providing our patients with the best possible care and empowering them to live life with clear vision and healthy eyes.

Glaucoma, like many of the conditions we diagnose and treat, is a chronic eye disease that requires a specialized approach. Below, you can learn more about glaucoma, and why early detection and effective management can be critical to maintaining your vision.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease where pressure in the eye — “intraocular pressure” — becomes abnormally high. This increased pressure can be caused by a buildup of aqueous humor, the fluid inside the eye, when it does not drain properly. When intraocular pressure is too high, it can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eyes to the brain, and potentially lead to peripheral vision loss — “tunnel vision.”

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over the age of sixty. The most common type of glaucoma is called open-angle, though there are several other types, including angle-closure. Each type’s name refers to the specific way that drainage routes in the eye are blocked.

It’s also possible to encounter glaucoma without increased intraocular pressure. This is called low-pressure or normal-tension glaucoma, and is caused by poor blood flow to the optic nerve. It can result from conditions like chronic migraines, sleep apnea, or Raynaud’s disease.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Different types of glaucoma will have different symptoms. For example, open-angle glaucoma is often called the “sneak thief” of sight because there are no warning signs — vision loss will come on so gradually that it may not be noticeable until significant damage to peripheral vision occurs. This is why it’s so important to regularly have eye exams that thoroughly screen for this and other eye diseases that progress without presenting obvious signs.

Angle-closure glaucoma, on the other hand, is characterized by a sudden rise in intraocular pressure and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:

• Hazy or blurred vision

• Severe eye pain and headaches, accompanied by nausea or vomiting

• Halos around vision

• Seeing rainbow colors around objects
  
  

Since glaucoma is often a hereditary condition, it’s crucial to undergo yearly glaucoma examinations to monitor intraocular pressure for any irregularities. If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually lead to blindness.

What is Glaucoma Testing?

Glaucoma tests are designed to examine your eyes for one of the key symptoms of the disease: increased pressure in the eye. The most common way to check for glaucoma is to use the “air puff test,” during which a small burst of air is puffed into the eye. When the air bounces back into the tonometer, the machine gives a reading of intraocular pressure. Another method involves using a small device to press lightly on the surface of the eye, measuring the response.

​​​​​​​However, only a comprehensive eye examination can identify glaucoma early enough to reliably prevent the condition from becoming severe. In a glaucoma exam, the eye is dilated and the retina and optic nerve are examined using advanced imaging and diagnostic technology.

How is Glaucoma Treated?

There is no way to restore vision lost to glaucoma, but intraocular pressure can be managed to slow or even halt the progression of the disease. Glaucoma can be treated by lowering the pressure in the eye with eye drops or oral medications, but there are more advanced options available depending on the severity of the glaucoma, from laser treatments to several minimally-invasive surgical procedures.

​​​​​​​When you come to Envision Eye Care for help managing glaucoma, our eye doctors will examine your eyes and eye health history to decide which treatment will provide you with the best results.