Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, especially for older people. It is a disease of the optic nerve—the part of the eye that carries the images we see to the brain. When damage to optic nerve fibers occurs, blind spots develop and usually go undetected until the optic nerve is significantly damaged. If the entire nerve is destroyed, blindness results.

Typically, glaucoma is caused when the drainage of the clear liquid that circulates inside the front portion of the eye is blocked, and fluid pressure within the eye increases, pushing against the optic nerve and causing damage. In some people, the drainage of the eye becomes less efficient over time and pressure gradually increases, which is why age can be a factor. Other risk factors include a family history of glaucoma, African or Spanish ancestry, farsightedness or nearsightedness, past eye injuries and systemic health problems including diabetes, migraine headaches and poor circulation.

Glaucoma often has no symptoms in its early stages and vision remains normal. Only as the optic nerve becomes more damaged do blank spots begin to appear in your field of vision, but you usually don’t even notice them in your day-to-day activities until the optic nerve is significantly damaged.

While there is no cure for glaucoma, the disease can be controlled and loss of sight can often be prevented with early treatment, which can include prescription eye drops or laser surgery to help prevent further damage. Early detection and treatment by one of our doctors is the key to preventing optic nerve damage and blindness from glaucoma. Regular eye exams which are simple and painless, by one of Seidenberg Protzko’s experienced eye doctors and the use of state-of-the-art equipment assures earlier detection of any changes in your eyes.  If case there are changes, treatment can begin immediately, therefore giving you peace of mind that the health of your eyes is our primary concern.