Track and Treat Your Glaucoma Symptoms
Prevention Begins with Preparation
Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve and is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. Though anyone can get glaucoma, it is most prevalent as we age. Fluid buildup at the front of the eyeball, usually from improper drainage, typically lays the groundwork for this disease. The earlier you recognize glaucoma, the more quickly, and effectively, you can treat it.
There are different types of glaucoma but the three most common types are:
Though there is no present cure for glaucoma, various treatments can stabilize or slow the disease’s progression and prevent further optic nerve damage, especially at the early stages of the disease.
Current available treatmnets are all based on lowering eye pressure. Let’s look at your options.
Medications
This includes eyedrops and in certain situations pills that decrease fluid production or improve fluid drainage
Laser Treatments
There are two different types of lasers, one is office based and improves fluid outflow (i.e., Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty). The other one is done in surgery center as an outpatient and reduces fluid production (i.e., cyclophotocoagulation).
Traditional Surgery
These include incisional (e.g, Tube Shunts) and filtering surgeries (Trabeculectomy) and all are based on draining the fluid to the outside of the eyeball.
MIGS Surgeries
These minimally invasive procedures are particularly effective for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma. They work by improving fluid outflow inside the eye.
Find the Solution That Works for You
There are different treatment options available for different types and stages of glaucoma, so it is important to discuss your unique situation with a respected glaucoma specialist such as Dr. Nariman Nassiri. Dr. Nassiri can assess your condition, then determine the most beneficial treatments for you. While there is no cure for glaucoma at the moment, you can stabilize your condition and reduce its impact on your life with the proper treatment, ideally or preferably in the early stages of the disease.
Medicare and Most Insurance Accepted
GLAUCOMA FAQ
Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that results from damage to the optic nerve. One of the major factors leading to this damage is elevated eye pressure. When there is imbalance between fluid production and drainage, fluid accumulates, increasing pressure and causing harm to the optic nerve.
Except for angle-closure glaucoma attack, which is associated with severe eye pain, headaches, blurred vision, halos around lights and ultimately irreversible vision loss, glaucoma is a silent disease (“silent thief of sight”) with no recognizable symptoms for patients until late stages of the disease which is associated with vision loss usually starting peripherally.
Per Medicare, you are considered at high risk if at least one of these conditions applies to you:
- You have diabetes
- You have a family history of glaucoma
- You’re African American and age 50 or older
- You’re Hispanic and age 65 or older
Mild to moderate elevated eye pressure is without any symptoms including pain and blurry vision. Severe elevated eye pressure such as in angle-closure glaucoma attack is associated with severe eye pain, headaches, halos, blurred vision and ultimately permanent vision loss.
While eye pressure above 21 mm Hg is considered as a warning sign, eye pressure needs to be assessed in association with other factors such as corneal thickness and ancillary glaucoma tests. For example, in normal tension glaucoma patients, although eye pressure is lower than 21 mm Hg, there is still progressive optic nerve damage.
Currently, the only definite way to lower eye pressure is through medical, laser and surgical treatments.
Although there is no definite answer, some studies have indicated that supplements are beneficial in glaucoma. This includes: vitamins A, C, E, magnesium, along with homotaurine, carnosine, forskolin, folic acid, Ginkgo biloba Extract, and vitamins B1, B2, and B6
Although there is still no definite answer, it is generally recommended to practice a healthy lifestyle and eat a nutritious diet.
If glaucoma is detected early through a comprehensive eye exam, it can typically be managed, and serious vision loss can often be prevented with appropriate treatment.
It is typically considered when other treatments, such as medication or laser therapy, have not effectively controlled the disease progression. The type of a surgery is usually chosen based on the type and stage of glaucoma.
Deciding if you need glaucoma surgery is best determined through consultation with an ophthalmologist or eye specialist. They assess factors that include your eye health, glaucoma severity, and treatment response. Consult with an ophthalmologist to determine if surgery is necessary.