Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness throughout the world affecting millions of people. The disease causes damage to the optic nerve, the pathway that carries the images we see to the brain. If untreated, glaucoma destroys the optic nerve.

Glaucoma can affect anyone. However, factors that increase a person’s risk include: increasing age; African-American heritage; high blood pressure; family history of glaucoma; diabetes; nearsightedness; long-term steroid treatment, and injury/trauma to the eye.

Although one will never be cured completely of glaucoma, treatment can often control it. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Dr. Whitsett’s utilizes a special diagnostic test involving sophisticated equipment called the HRT II to assist in tracking changes in these nerves.

For many years, high pressure in the eye resulting from the eye’s drainage system not working properly was considered the primary reason for glaucoma. Even patients with normal eye pressure can experience glaucoma.

Open-, Closed-Angle Glaucoma

The drainage system lies in between the outer layer and iris of the eye -- also called the angle. Two types of glaucoma are open angle and closed angle.

With chronic open-angle glaucoma, the angle is open, but the fluid does not drain as quickly as it should. Initially, open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms -- no pain nor noticeable change in vision. Untreated, this glaucoma will cause some individuals to see clearly in front of them, but miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eyes.

Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when fluid cannot escape because the drainage angle closes. High eye pressure and pain are symptoms of closed-angle glaucoma. Angle closure glaucoma is an emergency and should be treated immediately.

Treatment Options

Most physicians use medications such as eye drops and/or pills for newly-discovered glaucoma, although some are finding laser surgery to be a safe and effective alternative.

Glaucoma drugs are usually taken several times a day, and for as long as they help control eye pressure -- even though symptoms may not be noticeable. Some medications cause the eye to make less fluid, while other lower pressure to help drainage. Some medicines may cause headaches or side effects which affect other parts of the body. If you experience problems, inform Dr. Whitsett. Treatment using a different dosage or new drug may be possible.

Typically, laser eye surgery is attempted after a medication regimen. Laser surgery is performed in an eye doctor’s office or eye clinic, and makes 50 to 100 evenly-spaced burns which stretch the drainage holes in the eye’s meshwork to allow fluid to drain better. Studies have shown that laser surgery is very good at lowering eye pressure, but that the effects may diminish over time.

Shortly after the laser eye surgery, eye pressure will be checked and drops may be prescribed to alleviate any soreness or swelling within the eye. Follow-up visits are necessary to monitor eye pressure.

In some instances, failing medicine and laser eye surgery, conventional surgery may be recommended to make a new opening for fluid drainage.