Glaucoma

Without proper care, glaucoma can permanently damage your optic nerve, which sends vital information to the brain. At Vistasite Optique in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, New York, expert optometrist Vladimir Dvoretsky, OD, provides comprehensive care for glaucoma to minimize its impact on your eyesight. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to find out if you have glaucoma.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a progressive condition that damages the optic nerve, which sends information to the brain. The disease develops when fluid accumulates toward the front of the eye and increases pressure on the nerve. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to vision impairment, blurred vision, and even permanent blindness.

Are there different types of glaucoma?

There are multiple types of glaucoma, including:

Open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is nearly always a silent condition. Most individuals don’t experience vision changes until the condition advances. Blind spots in your peripheral vision may occur once the disease progresses.

Normal tension glaucoma

The most common signs of normal tension glaucoma are pressure inside the eyes and blind spots in your vision.

Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma symptoms often develop suddenly and with few warning signs. Early symptoms may include seeing halos, blurred vision, red eyes, and pain behind the eyes or forehead. Some people also experience nausea and vomiting.

Pigmentary glaucoma

Pigmentary glaucoma causes the pigment (color) in the iris to disperse. It’s one of the only types of glaucoma that is more prevalent in younger adults than in older populations.

Glaucoma in children

Pediatric glaucoma occurs when pressure builds in a child’s eye, leading to excessive tearing, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.

Your optometrist performs a series of tests to determine which type of glaucoma you have.

What causes glaucoma?

Damage to the optic nerve, usually from pressure inside the eye, causes glaucoma. Common risk factors for glaucoma include:

• Having thin corneas
• Being over age 40
• Having diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Using corticosteroid medications
• Suffering an eye injury
• Being nearsighted or farsighted
• Having a damaged optic nerve

Individuals who suffer from chronic migraines are also at an increased risk of developing glaucoma.

What are the treatments for glaucoma?

Once your optometrist at Vistasite Optique diagnoses your condition, they can develop an individualized treatment to preserve your vision. Common treatments for glaucoma include:

• Medicated eye drops
• Prescription medications
• Laser eye surgery
• Glaucoma drainage surgery

Glaucoma treatments aim to reduce swelling and pressure inside the eye to reduce complications, such as vision loss.

Call Vistasite Optique or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about glaucoma.