What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages your optic nerve. It often results when the pressure in your eyes is higher than normal. Because glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and has few warning signs, early detection and treatment are crucial to maintaining good vision and healthy eyes.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
Symptoms of glaucoma vary by the severity of your condition. You might have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but as it progresses, you may notice:
- Patchy blind spots
- Tunnel vision
- Eye pain
- Severe headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Halos effect around lights
- Blurry vision
- Eye redness
Detecting glaucoma in its early stage with routine eye exams is the best way to prevent the progression of the disease and permanent vision loss.
What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but some people have a higher chance of experiencing it. Common risk factors include being over age 60, having a family history of glaucoma, dealing with certain other medical conditions, being very farsighted or nearsighted, having had previous eye injuries or surgery, and long-term use of eye drops.
How does my eye doctor diagnose glaucoma?
To diagnose glaucoma and develop an effective treatment, your doctor at Chicago Glaucoma Consultants - CGC Eye Center reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a comprehensive eye examination and use a specialized test to measure the inner pressure of your eye.
Your provider first numbs your eye so you don’t feel any discomfort. They may use ophthalmoscopy to examine the inside of your eye, especially the optic nerve.
During the exam, your doctor magnifies your eye with an ophthalmoscope, an instrument with a small light at the end of it. This allows your provider to get an in-depth look at the color and shape of your optic nerve.
A glaucoma test allows your eye specialist to determine whether the pressure in your eye is too high, your optic nerve looks unusual, or you have specific glaucoma risk factors.
The four main types of glaucoma tests include perimetry, gonioscopy, pachymetry, and optic nerve computer imaging to measure the thickness of nerve fibers in your eye.
Perimetry is a visual field test, gonioscopy includes measuring the angle where your iris meets your cornea, and pachymetry evaluates corneal thickness.
What are my glaucoma treatment options?
After diagnosing the type and severity of your glaucoma, Chicago Glaucoma Consultants - CGC Eye Center providers might recommend the following treatments:
- Prescription eye drops
- Oral medications
- Laser treatment
- Glaucoma surgery
- A combination of treatments
Your eye doctor personalizes glaucoma treatments to best match your needs, perfect your vision, and prevent blindness.
Don’t let glaucoma go undetected and cause serious eye or vision problems. Schedule an appointment with Chicago Glaucoma Consultants - CGC Eye Center by phone or online for an eye exam today.
