Conditions Treated at Empire Eye Physicians

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent blindness in the world. It is an irreversible disease that damages the optic nerve and is often associated with increased eye pressure. Left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. There are no symptoms of early glaucoma. Fortunately, detection methods continue to improve, and proper preventive care can help you avoid total vision loss.

While glaucoma can strike anyone, the following factors may put you at increased risk:

• Being of African descent
• Having a family history of glaucoma
• Increasing age
• History of trauma to the eye

Most people are unaware they have glaucoma in the early stages. Scheduling regular eye exams with your doctor is vital to detecting glaucoma and preventing major vision loss. If you are identified as a “glaucoma suspect” at risk of vision loss, your doctor will examine your optic nerve and perform visual field tests to detect abnormalities in your vision one or more times a year. These tests will track changes that indicate the onset of glaucoma.

Glaucoma can be treated with medicine, laser surgery, conventional surgery or a combination of procedures and medications depending on the type of glaucoma.

There is no cure for glaucoma. Treatment is designed to control the glaucoma to prevent vision loss for the rest of one’s life. Glaucoma must be monitored several times a year to assure the treatment is still effective. Often treatment must be adjusted to maintain control of the disease.