What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that affect the optic nerve in the back of the eye. In a person with glaucoma, the optic nerve deteriorates and can lead to vision loss and blindness if it is not treated. This deterioration is typically the result of an intraocular (eye) pressure that is too high for the nerve.

Who is at risk?

Glaucoma has several risk factors that include ethnicity, family history, systemic conditions, high eye pressure, eye trauma, congenital defects, and more. For example, the Baltimore Eye Study concluded that African Americans have 4.97% greater prevalence of glaucoma than Caucasians.

​What treatments are available?

Glaucoma is treated by lowering the eye pressure. This can be achieved by using eye drops, laser, and/or surgery. The eye drops are used, on average, once to three times a day. A patient may be using multiple eye drops as well, depending on the severity of the condition. If the eye pressure is not controlled with eye drops, laser treatment is indicated. More invasive surgical procedures are typically reserved for advanced glaucoma.

What else can I do?

In addition to the treatments, there are several life style changes that a person can make to reduce his or her risk.

• A healthy diet and cardiovascular exercises
• Sleeping on your back and elevate your head with two pillows
• Avoid inversion exercises such as head-stands
• No smoking

​How often should I see my eye doctor?

There are several tests that are used to diagnose and monitor glaucoma. One or more of the tests are typically repeated every 3-4 months to track a patient's progression. 
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We are constantly upgrading our technology to provide the doctors more information to properly diagnose and manage glaucoma. These upgrades also create a more pleasant experience for the patient. We recently upgraded our visual field perimeter and OCT. Click on the links to check them out!