Posted on: Oct 29 2013
Glaucoma occurs when pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve, often causing vision loss. Some symptoms of the condition include blurred vision, nausea, and eye pain. Common risk factors include age, family history, and any past eye injuries.
Glaucoma is diagnosed following a comprehensive exam, as well as an assessment of medical and family history. Once the condition is diagnosed, your doctor will speak with you about what treatment is right for you. When it comes to treating glaucoma, sooner is better. Waiting may result in further damage, or vision loss.
While there is no cure for glaucoma, there are highly-effective treatments available. Let’s take a closer look at some of these treatments.
Medication. A variety of medication is available to treat glaucoma. Most commonly, patients will use prescription or over-the-counter eye drops. Eye drops are useful for reducing the pressure levels in the eyes that cause glaucoma. Oral medications are usually recommended for patients who are not responding to eye drops. An eye doctor may also recommend a combination of medications, to control eye pressure.
Laser surgery. An outpatient procedure known as “laser trabeculoplasty” is an effective alternative to surgery, for patients who are unresponsive to medication or eye drops. With this procedure, your eye doctor uses a laser beam to open clogged drainage canals in the eye. This allows fluid in the eye to drain easily, reducing pressure in the eye. This may require some downtime, since results of laser surgery take a few weeks to appear.
Surgery. Laser surgery may not always be effective in lowering the pressure in the eye. When medications and laser surgery do not work, more extensive surgery is necessary. Conventional glaucoma surgery involves creating a drainage hole in the eye with a small surgical instrument. The opening will allow fluids to bypass the clogged drainage canals, and flow out of the artificial drainage hole. Glaucoma surgery can be performed several times, if necessary, without risk to the eye.
Glaucoma Treatment in Winchester
If you’re living with glaucoma, contact us today to learn about your treatment options. Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, and you can reach us directly at (540) 722-6200. We hope to hear from you soon.
Posted in: Glaucoma