HERZING CLINIC

Phone: 204.541.2345Fax: 204.541.2344

143 Main Street Winnipeg, MB R3W 1E2

For more information, see the Glaucoma, Cataract, and Anterior Segment Disease Clinic and the complete Clinic Services listing of the Herzing Clinic.

Read more at http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/g/glaucoma/tests.htm

www.glaucoma.comwww.glaucoma-association.com

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing optic nerve damage. The optic nerve carries images from the retina, which is the specialized light sensing tissue, to the brain so we can see. In glaucoma, eye pressure plays a role in damaging the delicate nerve fibers of the optic nerve. When a significant number of nerve fibers are damaged, blind spots develop in the field of vision. Once nerve damage and visual loss occur, it is permanent. Most people don't notice these blind areas until much of the optic nerve damage has already occurred. If the entire nerve is destroyed, blindness results. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world, especially in older people. Early detection and treatment by your ophthalmologist are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and vision loss from glaucoma.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Unfortunately, most cases of glaucoma do not occur with readily

noticeable symptoms that warn of the irreversible optic nerve damage being done. However, the presence of the following warning signs, indicates

that you need a thorough examination by an eye doctor:

Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms.

Difficulty focusing on near or distant objects.

Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare.

Change in color of iris Red-rimmed, encrusted or

swollen lids. Recurrent pain in or around

eyes.

being used and whether further treatments may be necessary. Not all of these tests are necessary for every person, nor at every visit.

Treatment

The treatment for glaucoma depends upon the nature and severity of each case. In general, glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Eye drops, pills, laser procedures, and surgical operations are used to prevent or slow further damage from occurring. With any type of glaucoma, regular eye examinations are very important to detect progression and to prevent vision loss. Because glaucoma can worsen without your being aware of it, your treatment will likely need to be changed over time to achieve a lower "target eye pressure."

What Causes Glaucoma?

The exact causes of optic nerve damage from glaucoma is not fully understood, but involves mechanical compression and/or decreased blood flow of the optic nerve. Although high eye pressure sometimes leads to glaucoma, many people can also develop glaucoma with "normal" eye pressure.

How Is Glaucoma Detected?

Regular eye examinations by your ophthalmologist are the best way to detect glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist will measure your eye pressure (tonometry); inspect the drainage angle of your eye (gonioscopy); evaluate your optic nerve (ophthalmolscopy); and test the visual field of each eye (perimetry). Optic nerve evaluation and visual field testing are performed at regular intervals to monitor the effects of glaucoma. The information from these tests provides an indication of the effectiveness of the treatment

Glaucoma Prognosis

Laser surgery lowers IOP, but the length of

time that it remains stable depends on the

type of surgery, the type of glaucoma, age,

race, and severity of disease. Some patients

need additional surgery. Medication is

usually necessary to control IOP following

laser surgery, but many patients are able to

reduce the dosage.

Glaucoma Prevention

Glaucoma cannot be prevented. Early

detection can prevent vision loss and control

the disease. Regular eye examinations are

recommended, especially for people over

the age of 35. After age 40, eye exams

should be done every 2 to 4 years, and after

age 60, every 1 to 2 years. Glaucoma testing

is recommended every 1 to 2 years after the

age of 35 for those at high risk. Eating

vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, taking a

vitamin supplement, protecting eyes from

injury, and getting medical treatment for

systemic illnesses promote good eye health.