Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, usually due to high pressure inside the eye. The optic nerve sends visual information from the eyes to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, this information can’t be fully transmitted, resulting in vision loss and even blindness. The two main types of glaucoma are open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Both types can cause severe and irreversible vision loss, and regular eye exams are critical to detecting the disease before serious damage occurs.  

At VisionArts Eyecare Center, your eye doctor can diagnose glaucoma during a comprehensive eye exam. It is possible to manage glaucoma, but it must be diagnosed early. If you lose your sight to glaucoma, you cannot regain it.  

Risk factors for glaucoma

Here are some of the risk factors for glaucoma that you should be aware of: 

• Age: As we get older, our risk of developing glaucoma increases. 
• Family history: If someone in your family has had glaucoma, you may be at higher risk for the disease. 
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing glaucoma. 
• Medications: Certain medications, like steroids, can increase your risk of developing glaucoma. 
• Race: People of African, Hispanic, and Asian descent are at higher risk for developing glaucoma. 
• Eye injury: If you’ve had an eye injury in the past, you may be at increased risk for glaucoma. 

Having one or more of these risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop glaucoma. However, you should schedule regular eye exams to manage your risk factors and catch any potential issues early on. 

Glaucoma diagnosis in Fulton, MO 

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it doesn’t have any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Typically, patients don’t notice vision loss until the disease advances to later stages. Fortunately, if glaucoma is caught early, treatment can minimize or prevent damage to the optic nerve and subsequent vision loss. 

There are two main types of tests that can help measure the internal pressure of your eye. One of these tests involves a puff of air being blown across the surface of your eye (known as the “air puff test”). The other uses a specialized device in conjunction with eye-numbing drops to “touch” the surface of the eye and measure eye pressure. 

However, while increased eye pressure is a key indicator of glaucoma, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have the condition. The most accurate way to detect glaucoma is through a comprehensive eye exam. During a comprehensive eye exam at VisionArts Eyecare Center, our doctor will dilate your pupils and thoroughly examine the retina and optic nerve at the back of your eye for signs of glaucoma.  

If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, our eye doctor will recommend treatment to help preserve your vision. By following their recommendations and getting the proper care, you can work towards maintaining good eye health and keeping your vision strong. 

Treatment for glaucoma    

While there is no cure for glaucoma, proper treatment and management can greatly delay or reduce the adverse effects of the disease.   

The main goal of treating glaucoma is to reduce eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Treatment for glaucoma will vary based on the type and severity of the condition. If you have glaucoma, our eye doctor will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your unique needs. 

Glaucoma treatment and management may include:   

• Prescription eye drops  
• Medicine    
• Surgery    

If other treatments do not reduce your eye pressure to a safe level, your eye doctor may recommend surgery. We will refer you to an ophthalmologist in the area who will run extensive tests and decide if surgery is necessary. Following your surgery, our eye doctor at VisionArts Eyecare Center will monitor your progress and recovery during follow-up visits.   

The focus is on lowering your eye pressure with either medication or surgery. There may be a need for more frequent examinations to monitor progress.  

Our highly skilled and dedicated optometrist is here to support your vision needs. If you are noticing any changes in your vision, schedule your eye exam with VisionArts Eyecare Center in Fulton today.