Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a condition in which a group of eye conditions damages the optic nerve. The optic nerve is essential for vision, and if left untreated, the damage can lead to blindness. While high eye pressure is often associated with glaucoma, the condition can also occur with normal eye pressure. Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs, and vision loss is usually gradual.

Types of Glaucoma

There are several types of glaucoma, with open-angle glaucoma being the most common type in the US. Other types include angle-closure glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, and pigment dispersion syndrome/pigmentary glaucoma.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

This type of glaucoma often has few warning signs or obvious symptoms in the early stages. As it progresses, you may notice blind spots in your vision, although most people don't notice changes in vision quality until the damage is severe.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

While this form of glaucoma is less common, it can cause what is referred to as an "attack." It can be acute or chronic, and like open-angle glaucoma, you may show no warning signs before an attack. During an attack, you may experience severe pain in your eye or forehead, eye redness, decreased or blurred vision, seeing spots or rainbows, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

If you have regular eye pressure but are showing signs of glaucoma, you may have normal-tension glaucoma. Some symptoms you might notice are blind spots and optic nerve damage.

Congenital Glaucoma

This form of glaucoma is present at birth and occurs when the eye drainage canals don't properly develop, causing increased eye pressure.

Risk Factors for Glaucoma

Anyone can develop glaucoma, but certain factors can increase the risk, including being over the age of 40, having a family history of glaucoma, having high eye pressure, being nearsighted or farsighted, experiencing eye injuries, using long-term steroid medications, having thin corneas, experiencing thinning of the optic nerve, and having health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, or poor blood circulation.

Diagnosing Glaucoma

Your optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam that includes measuring eye pressure, examining the eye's drainage angle, inspecting the optic nerve for damage, testing peripheral vision, taking pictures or measurements of the optic nerve, and measuring corneal thickness.

Contact Visionary Eye Center in Jupiter, FL

While there is no cure for glaucoma, there are ways to manage it. At Visionary Eye Center in Jupiter, we are committed to providing top-notch eye care and improving your quality of life. We offer comprehensive treatments to prevent glaucoma from interfering with your everyday activities. Learn more about our eye care and glaucoma treatment options by calling (561) 250-0655 for our Jupiter Farm-West location and (561) 429-8753 for our Military Trail-East location.