Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a degenerative condition to the retina and optic nerve that can affect eyesight if not caught in time and treated. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over the age of 60. Thankfully, loss of sight from glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment. At Campus Eye Group, our team is dedicated to providing the best possible glaucoma screening and treatment to preserve your eyesight.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve. This nerve is vital for good vision as it sends visual information from the eye to the brain.

The main cause of glaucoma is high pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure), which damages the optic nerve. The eye continually creates aqueous humor, or the clear liquid inside of the front of the eye. As this fluid flows into the eye, the same amount should also drain out. This process keeps the pressure in the eye stable. However, if the eye is not properly draining this fluid, it can build up, leading to pressure.

There are two main types of glaucoma, including open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma.

Open-angle glaucoma

This is the most common type of glaucoma, and it occurs gradually. This type of glaucoma is often painless and causes no vision changes in the early stages. Because of this, glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight.”

Closed-angle glaucoma

The type of glaucoma occurs when the iris blocks the drainage angle in the eye, causing fluid to build up. This often happens slowly.

However, when drainage is totally blocked, eye pressure rises quickly, which can lead to an acute attack. Symptoms include severe pain in the eye or forehead, decreased or blurred vision, seeing halos, nausea, and vomiting. This is considered an eye emergency and should be treated immediately to avoid loss of vision.

Diagnosing Glaucoma

Glaucoma is diagnosed through a complete eye exam. During this appointment, your doctor will measure your eye pressure, view your eye’s drainage angle, examine the optic nerve, and more to ensure healthy eyes.

Some individuals may have a higher-than-normal risk of developing glaucoma. This includes individuals over 40 years old who have a family history of glaucoma, high eye pressure, diabetes, or more. If you are concerned about your risk of getting glaucoma, speak with one of our physicians today.

Treatment for Glaucoma

Damage to the eye caused by glaucoma is permanent and cannot be reversed. However, some medications and procedures can stop further damage. Glaucoma treatment may include the following:

Laser Surgery

In many cases, laser surgery is considered the standard of care for treating glaucoma. At Campus Eye Group, we offer various laser treatments, including Lumenis SLT laser treatment, Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI), and Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP).

Surgical Procedures

At Campus Eye Group, we also offer surgical glaucoma procedures on an outpatient basis. These procedures can also be performed at the same time as cataract surgery and may involve the placement of shunt devices designed to improve the outflow of fluid from the eye to relieve pressure.

Medication

Eye drops may decrease eye pressure or the amount of fluid the eye produces.

If eye drops are not successful in bringing down eye pressure to the desired level, oral medication may be prescribed as well. This medicine is often a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, which reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, bringing down pressure.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you have a history of glaucoma or wish to undergo screening for glaucoma, our skilled team is here to help. Contact Campus Eye Group in Hamilton, NJ, today to schedule your appointment.

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Dr. Joshi and her team provided a great first optometrist visit for my 6 yo. Front desk staff were responsive and helpful from booking to reception and were friendly and communicative throughout our exam. Dr. Joshi herself was warm, patient, explained things clearly and asked several times if we had any questions- she clearly cares about her patients well-being.
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Our professional staff is comprised of both consulting board-certified ophthalmologists and therapeutically certified optometrists who deliver the highest quality of eye care, innovative medical and surgical care, ensuring that our patients are provided with the most innovative solutions for maintaining, enhancing, or preserving their sight.

State-of-the-art technology combined with a courteous and informed staff creates the perfect setting for all your vision and eye health needs from comprehensive eye exams to treatment for rare eye diseases.

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