Glaucoma Evaluation And Treatment What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in people over 40 – Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. This disease demonstrate again the importance of Routine Eye Exams. A person with glaucoma has a high pressure buildup within his eye, also known as intra-ocular pressure or IOP. The high pressure causes optic nerve fibers damage and blood vessels destruction. Therefore, there is vision loss as damage to the optic nerve affect transmission of images captured by the eye to the brain. Understanding Glaucoma *  Almost all blindness due to glaucoma are preventable. *  In the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms. *  About half of the people affected by glaucoma may not know they have it. *  There is no cure for damage already done by glaucoma. *  Medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. Types of glaucoma Chronic glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It is virtually painless. In fact, most people with chronic glaucoma are not even aware that they are being robbed of their vision since the visual loss is so gradual and there are no warning signs. A "tunnel vision" is developed and the eye is seeing only a small area in the center of the visual field which further narrows over time until no vision remains. By the time the patient notice vision problems, the damage is irreversible.    Acute glaucoma is less common and it is marked by a sudden, severe headaches and eye pain in and around the eye. Vision is sharply decreased and in many cases, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Emergency treatments including medications, surgery and laser procedure are required to alleviate the pressure and prevent further damage. Normal tension glaucoma is another form of the disease in which the optic nerve is damaged even though intra ocular pressure (IOP) is normal. At Rutland Eye Physician, we perform GDX, a special test that does not depend on high pressure to detect glaucoma (See Below) Congenital glaucoma is another entity in infants born with the condition. Secondary Glaucoma 1) Inflammation glaucoma is another form of the disease and may result from infection or autoimmune process. 2) Medical Eye diseases such as cataract and diabetes are important factors in developing glaucoma. 3) Trauma and surgery may increase pressure of the eye. 4) Medications such as steroids may cause increased intra ocular pressure and cause or exacerbate glaucoma. Who is at Risk For Glaucoma? People Over 60 Family Members of people who have glaucoma. African-Americans Hispanics in Older Age Groups Steroid Users Eye Injury- this can occur immediately after the injury or years later. If you have glaucoma, remember to: 1) Inform your primary physicians and other health professionals of medication you are taking for glaucoma. 2) Keep an emergency identification card in your wallet stating that you are being treated for glaucoma. 3) Be compliance with the treatment and do not forget to take your medication with you when you are away from home. 4) Inform your ophthalmologist of any side effects from your medication. 5) Encourage members of your family to have regular eye checkups. GDX and other Diagnostic Tests Dr. Sobel uses the most advanced diagnostic tools available to find if a patient has glaucoma at the earliest stage. The GDx (Glaucoma Diagnosis) is an imaging laser that can help detect glaucoma very early. This scanning laser can detect any changes in to the optic nerve by measuring the thickness of the layer of nerve fibers at the back of the eye. This is a painless test that takes only a few minutes, that can give very accurate information about the health of your optic nerve. ifdgdgfdgfdgggfdfgdfgfgfdgdgfdgfdggdgfdgfdgdfcians, LLC fhfjhkhk fhdskjfhdsfjhsdkfj hfjkv   bgvdcg  fhfjhkhk fhdskjfhdsfjhsdkfj hfjkv   bgvdcg fhfjhkhk fhdskjfhdsfjhsdkfj hfjkv   bgvdcg
	January 2010       © Rutland EYE Physicians, LLC 73 Center Street, Rutland VT 05701     Tel: (802) 773-2020