Columnists

Treating Glaucoma

Issue 22.15

Helping people see with glasses and, in some cases, helping people preserve their vision is one of the most rewarding things about being an eye care provider.  We often see people who are over 50 years old who haven’t had an eye exam for many years.  They think there is no reason for an eye exam because they don’t recognize there are any problems or their glasses are working ok.  Thankfully, more often than not there aren’t any major problems, but it’s not uncommon that there is and the patient had no idea.  This is often the case with a disease like glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss.  It is currently the second leading cause of blindness.  The most common form of glaucoma is characterized by increased pressure inside the eye.  What most people don’t realize is that there are typically no symptoms for glaucoma because there is no pain associated with it.  It’s very rare to be able to feel the pressure building up inside the eye.  It develops slowly and sometimes without any noticeable vision loss for many years until the damage is already done.

Currently, glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early it can usually be controlled, avoiding any major loss of vision.  There are multiple risk factors associated with glaucoma.  If you are over 60 you are six times more likely to get it.  There is also has a genetic component associated with it.  Your risk increases dramatically if someone in your immediate family has been diagnosed with glaucoma.  You are also at higher risk if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, use steroids or have had traumatic injury to your eyes.

The treatments that are currently available focus on lowering the pressure inside the eye.  Those options available include topical eye drops, laser treatment and surgery.  Topical eye drops are usually the first line treatment because of their efficacy and ease of use.  Laser treatment and surgery are typically used when a patient doesn’t respond to topical treatments or are unable to put drops in the eye.

It’s important to remember that many of the diseases we hear about in relation to the eyes can be detected early and sometimes prevented by seeing your eye doctor each year.  Remember, there is a lot more to an eye exam than just checking the glasses prescription.  I always reassure my patients that with continued care and compliance we can make the sting of Glaucoma and other diseases have less of an effect on their quality of life.  We strive to deliver the most advanced technology and vision care that one can receive with every exam.  Come in and let us show you the difference today!

Ryan Robison can be contacted at SouthWest Vision, 435-673-5577.

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