Glaucoma

Could I Be Losing My Eyesight and Not Know It?

The answer is YES! GLAUCOMA is a leading cause of blindness throughout the world, especially in the African-American population. In most cases, GLAUCOMA has no symptoms leading doctors to believe that over 50% of GLAUCOMA patients are undiagnosed. Once damage occurs due to GLAUCOMA, it is irreversible. That means the earliest detection and treatment is essential to preserving good vision.

At The Kelly Eye Center, we take pride in being able to provide our patients comprehensive, in-depth ocular health evaluations to detect GLAUCOMA in its earliest stages, even before it harms your vision. Using the latest technology available, combined with years of experience, we can determine the best course of treatment, whether its medication, laser treatment or surgery.

Contact The Kelly Eye Center today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Don’t let GLAUCOMA sneak up and steal your vision.

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a degenerative disease that if left untreated can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, resulting in gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. Damage to the optic nerve due to glaucoma is usually caused by an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Clear fluid, called aqueous humor, circulates through the eye to provide nourishment to the tissue and applies pressure to help maintain the shape of the eye.

Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent, but can be prevented with early detection and treatment. Glaucoma management is usually a lifelong process that requires frequent monitoring and constant treatment. Since there is no way to determine if glaucoma is under control based on how a person feels, doctor visits should be on a regular basis.

Treatment concentrates on lowering the pressure inside the eye to prevent optic nerve damage. Eye drops are most commonly used to control glaucoma, however, they can be very expensive, have unwanted side effects, and may need to be taken for the rest of your life. If non-surgical methods fail to decrease pressure, surgery may be required. Some surgical procedures include selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), a peripheral iridotomy (PI), or a trabeculectomy.

About Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma occurs when there is an increase in fluid production or a decrease in fluid drainage, destroying optic nerve fibers and gradually causing peripheral (side) vision loss. Aqueous humor flows out of the eye through the trabecular meshwork near the edge of the iris. If the trabecular meshwork is blocked, restricting drainage, the pressure inside the eye increases.

Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent, but can be prevented with early detection and treatment. Glaucoma management is usually a lifelong process that requires frequent monitoring and constant treatment. Since there is no way to determine if glaucoma is under control based on how a person feels, doctor visits should be on a regular basis.