About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that is most commonly associated with an elevated pressure inside the eye-Intraocular Pressure (IOP)-that damages the optic nerve and causes loss of vision. More than three million Americans are living with glaucoma, 2.7 million of whom-aged 40 and older-are affected by its most common form, Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) which begins without any symptoms or obvious loss of vision. It is critical to diagnose and treat glaucoma as early as possible throughout regular eye exams in order to prevent vision loss. With early detection, diagnosis & treatment, in the vast majority of cases, glaucoma vision loss can be controlled or prevented.

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Glaucoma Risk Factors

Your risk of developing glaucoma depends on your general health, eye health and family history. There are a number of factors that that may influence your likelihood of developing glaucoma, including

High Intraocular Pressure
Age-Risk increases after the age of 40 and is 6 times greater if you are over 60.
Race-African-Americans have a six to eight fold increased risk for glaucoma.
Myopia-Severely nearsighted people have a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
Diabetes
Family History-Any family history of glaucoma is considered a very significant risk factor.
Steroids-Taking steroid medication for allergies, asthma or arthritis
Early Menopause
Sleep Apnea
Thin Corneal Tissue
Eye Trauma

During your eye exam and visits to Eye Associates, please tell us if you think that you have any of these glaucoma risk factors so we can be sure to provide the most thorough testing and examination.

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Types of Glaucoma

There are two main types of glaucoma which are called Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) and Angle Closure Glaucoma. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma whereby the production and/or drainage of fluid inside the front of the eye-called aqueous humor-is imbalanced, resulting in an elevation in eye pressure (IOP). This pressure deprives the optic nerve of oxygen and nutrients causing irreversible changes and damage, which if left untreated results in vision loss and ultimately blindness. Angle Closure Glaucoma accounts for about 10% of all cases of glaucoma. Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma is one of the only types of glaucoma that can produce distinct symptoms that include pain, light sensitivity, redness, blurry vision, colored haloes around lights and nausea or vomiting. Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma is considered a medical emergency. If you experience a sudden onset of pain, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, haloes around lights, nausea and vomiting, please call any Eye Associates office and relay these symptoms to the Patient Services Representative so that you can be given an appointment immediately. In the event that you are at risk for Angle Closure Glaucoma or in the event that you have Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma we may initially prescribe some medication to begin to lower the pressure but will also perform a type of glaucoma laser procedure called Laser Iridotomy to produce a small opening or hole in the Iris so that Aqueous Humor can drain from the eye more effectively.

Different Types of Glaucoma

View Video

Glaucoma Risk Factors

Your risk of developing glaucoma depends on your general health, eye health and family history. There are a number of factors that that may influence your likelihood of developing glaucoma, including

High Intraocular Pressure
Age-Risk increases after the age of 40 and is 6 times greater if you are over 60.
Race-African-Americans have a six to eight fold increased risk for glaucoma.
Myopia-Severely nearsighted people have a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
Diabetes
Family History-Any family history of glaucoma is considered a very significant risk factor.
Steroids-Taking steroid medication for allergies, asthma or arthritis
Early Menopause
Sleep Apnea
Thin Corneal Tissue
Eye Trauma

During your eye exam and visits to Eye Associates, please tell us if you think that you have any of these glaucoma risk factors so we can be sure to provide the most thorough testing and examination.

View Video

Types of Glaucoma

There are two main types of glaucoma which are called Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) and Angle Closure Glaucoma. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma whereby the production and/or drainage of fluid inside the front of the eye-called aqueous humor-is imbalanced, resulting in an elevation in eye pressure (IOP). This pressure deprives the optic nerve of oxygen and nutrients causing irreversible changes and damage, which if left untreated results in vision loss and ultimately blindness. Angle Closure Glaucoma accounts for about 10% of all cases of glaucoma. Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma is one of the only types of glaucoma that can produce distinct symptoms that include pain, light sensitivity, redness, blurry vision, colored haloes around lights and nausea or vomiting. Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma is considered a medical emergency. If you experience a sudden onset of pain, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, haloes around lights, nausea and vomiting, please call any Eye Associates office and relay these symptoms to the Patient Services Representative so that you can be given an appointment immediately. In the event that you are at risk for Angle Closure Glaucoma or in the event that you have Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma we may initially prescribe some medication to begin to lower the pressure but will also perform a type of glaucoma laser procedure called Laser Iridotomy to produce a small opening or hole in the Iris so that Aqueous Humor can drain from the eye more effectively.