Glaucoma

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve, which relays signals from your eyes to your brain, sustains damage. The disease has two main forms, each with different symptoms. 

Open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type. It happens when your eye drainage system (the trabecular meshwork) doesn’t drain fluid normally, so fluid levels increase and gradually harm the optic nerve. 

Open-angle glaucoma doesn’t cause vision problems initially, so without regular eye exams you might not know you have glaucoma until the late stages. At that point, you may have a decrease in peripheral vision and, eventually, central vision problems.

Angle-closure glaucoma 

Angle-closure glaucoma happens when the iris bulges too close to the drainage angle in the eye. It can eventually cut off the normal fluid pathway, creating a total blockage. This leads to a sudden spike in eye pressure (an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack).  

During an angle-closure glaucoma attack, common symptoms include blurry vision, severe eye pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and visual distortions like halos around lights. This type of attack is a medical emergency. You could lose your vision without immediate treatment. 

Who is at risk for glaucoma?

Glaucoma risk factors include: 

• Age over 40
• Family history of glaucoma
• Nearsightedness or farsightedness
• Traumatic eye injury
• Diabetes
• Circulatory problems
• High blood pressure
• Long-term use of corticosteroids

People who are African American, Hispanic, and Asian are more likely to develop glaucoma. Because so many people fit into one or more of these risk groups, glaucoma screenings are an important aspect of comprehensive eye exams and specialty diabetic eye exams. 

What are the latest glaucoma treatments?

Northwest Eye Specialists is at the forefront of glaucoma treatment innovations. The practice offers traditional approaches, like prescription eye drops, to help prevent glaucoma progression. 

Laser procedures to improve existing drainage angles or create a more effective drainage route within the iris are often an option for people who don’t improve with eye drops. 

The practice also offers the most advanced surgical glaucoma procedures. For example, trabeculectomy is an advanced surgery that creates a new drainage route inside the eye. 

The XEN® gel stent, a tiny tube implanted in your eye, provides effective fluid drainage. The XEN gel stent can also be combined with cataract surgery.  

Northwest Eye Specialists can preserve your vision with glaucoma. Call the office or book your appointment online today.