Glaucoma Management at Lakeside Eye Associates
Guarding Against Glaucoma
Often called the "silent thief of sight," glaucoma is an eye disease that progresses without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss has already occurred. This gradual nature makes it especially dangerous, as patients can lose peripheral vision before realizing they have a problem. We know how important it is to catch eye problems early and take action to protect your vision. Our thorough exams can find glaucoma before it causes problems in your everyday activities.
Glaucoma Explained
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending visual information from your eyes to your brain. In most cases, increased pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure) causes glaucoma. This pressure buildup damages the optic nerve over time, leading to vision.
The two most common types of glaucoma are:
- Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common type, where fluid doesn’t drain properly, gradually increasing eye pressure.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Less common but more sudden, where the drainage angle closes, causing a rapid rise in eye pressure. This type of glaucoma, which is considered a medical emergency, can cause symptoms like severe eye pain, blurred vision, and nausea.
Are You at Risk for Glaucoma?
While anyone can develop glaucoma, several factors increase the risk:
- Age: People over 60 have a higher risk, although glaucoma can develop at any age.
- Family History: A family history raises your chances of developing the disease.
- Ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanic individuals are at a higher risk for open-angle glaucoma, while Asians are more prone to angle-closure glaucoma.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cardiovascular diseases can elevate your risk.
- Eye Injuries: Trauma to the eye can affect fluid drainage, leading to an increased risk.
- Nearsightedness or Farsightedness: Severe refractive errors may contribute to a higher risk.
Our Glaucoma Detection and Monitoring
The vision loss from glaucoma is permanent, so identifying the disease early allows for treatment options that can slow or halt its progression. Regular eye exams, particularly if you’re in a high-risk group, are essential for early detection and successful management.
At Lakeside Eye Associates, we use cutting-edge technology to detect and monitor glaucoma, ensuring precise and reliable diagnoses. Our diagnostic tools allow us to evaluate the health of your optic nerve, measure eye pressure, and track any changes.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
This imaging technology captures detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, allowing us to assess the thickness of the optic nerve fibers.
Visual Field Testing
Glaucoma often affects peripheral vision first, so we use visual field tests to measure your side vision and detect any changes.
Tonometry
This test measures the pressure inside your eye, an important indicator for glaucoma. We use non-invasive tonometry tools for comfortable and accurate readings.
Pachymetry
This test measures the thickness of your cornea, as corneal thickness can affect eye pressure readings. Understanding corneal thickness allows for more accurate assessments.