Glaucoma Q & A

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that damage your optic nerve. The damage often develops from excessive pressure in the eye.

Damage to your optic nerve causes permanent vision loss. Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in people over age 60. However, glaucoma can develop at any age. 

What are the types of glaucoma?

There are different types of glaucoma known to cause damage to the optic nerve. The types include:

Primary open-angle glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type and causes slow, painless damage to the optic nerve. It’s theorized that this type of glaucoma develops because of changes in your eye’s natural drainage system. 

Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is less common, but a more serious type of glaucoma that requires emergency medical care. When left untreated, angle-closure glaucoma may cause permanent vision loss in a matter of days.

With angle-closure glaucoma, there’s a blockage in the drainage angle in your eye. Fluid and pressure builds up quickly, causing sudden eye pain, headaches, or vision changes. 

Secondary glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma means the optic nerve damage occurs from another eye condition or eye injury. 

Normal-tension glaucoma

With normal-tension glaucoma, eye pressure is normal, but you have optic nerve damage.  

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

Glaucoma is diagnosed after a comprehensive eye exam. Everyone, even those without vision problems, needs regular comprehensive eye exams.

The frequency of your eye exams depends on your age, vision needs, eye health, and health history. 

During your comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Levy reviews your medical history, the types of medications you take, and your vision and eye concerns. She then performs a number of tests to check eye health and vision.

Testing may include:

• Visual acuity test

• Check of eye motor function

• Assessment of depth perception

• Retinoscopy to check vision prescription needs

• Dilated eye exam

Dr. Levy uses the GDx Access™ to screen for glaucoma. This state-of-the-art optometry tool detects glaucoma at a much earlier stage than other glaucoma screening tools. 

With GDx Access, Dr. Levy uses an infrared laser to measure the thickness of your retinal nerve fiber layer, which helps find early nerve damage.  

How is glaucoma treated?

Though Dr. Levy can’t reverse optic nerve damage, she can provide treatment to prevent or slow down vision changes. Treatment for glaucoma may include eye drops or oral medications to improve eye drainage and lower eye pressure.

Dr. Levy also recommends more frequent comprehensive eye exams so she can monitor your optic nerve and vision, and adjust treatment as needed.

To schedule your glaucoma screening at Rhody Eye Care, call the office or book an appointment online today.