Glaucoma

Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is actually a group of common eye conditions that can cause damage to your vision. When you have glaucoma, the optic nerve, which sends visual information from your eye to your brain, becomes damaged by higher than normal eye pressure. The most common type of glaucoma is called primary open angle glaucoma. This often causes no symptoms except for a slow loss of peripheral vision. Another type, angle-closure glaucoma, is considered a medical emergency due to rapidly increasing eye pressure accompanied by pain, nausea and blurry vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over 60. Our glaucoma specialist diagnoses glaucoma using specialized glaucoma imaging equipment.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

The symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma can include severe eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, headaches, nausea and vomiting. The most common symptom of open angle glaucoma is a slow loss of peripheral and finally central vision. In its earliest stages, there may be no symptoms at all, which is why it’s important to have regular eye exams and glaucoma testing from a glaucoma specialist.

How is glaucoma treated?

Glaucoma treatment often starts with prescription eye drops to reduce eye pressure. If conservative glaucoma treatment fails to provide sufficient relief, glaucoma laser surgery may be necessary. The most commonly performed laser eye surgery for glaucoma is a laser trabeculoplasty, a procedure that improves fluid drainage and reduces eye pressure. In more advanced cases, your doctor may recommend surgery, such as minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, glaucoma filtering surgery or tube shunt surgery.

We welcome new patients and would be delighted to take care of your vision needs. Call 954.342.6399 or use our Make an appointment form. Our eye clinic cares for people of all ages from Hollywood, Hallandale, Aventura, Pembroke Pines, Golden Beach, Sunny Isles, Bal Harbour and surrounding communities.

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