glaucoma anatomy

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment 

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that can cause damage to the optic nerve. This nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. At Lawrenceville Family Eyecare, we have the clinical knowledge and expertise necessary to diagnose and treat glaucoma. 

 

Understanding Glaucoma 

Glaucoma usually happens when fluid builds up in the front of the eye. That extra fluid increases pressure in the eye, damaging the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is the main carrier of vision information to the brain. When the optic nerve gets damaged, less visual messages are sent to the brain, resulting in vision loss.  

 

The exact cause of glaucoma is unknown, and there’s currently no way to prevent glaucoma. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. However, if glaucoma is caught early and treated promptly, it can usually be controlled with minimal or no further vision loss. That’s why regular eye exams are essential to early detection and effective treatment before vision loss occurs.  

 

Who Is At Risk of Developing Glaucoma? 

 

People of all ages can develop glaucoma, but it most frequently occurs in people:  

  • Who are over age 40  
  • Who have a family history of glaucoma  
  • Who are very nearsighted  
  • Who are diabetic  
  • Who are of African or West Indies descent  

 

How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed? 

Regular eye examinations are an important means of detecting glaucoma in its early stages and will include:  

  • Tonometry: a simple and painless measurement of the pressure in the eye.  
  • Ophthalmoscopy: an examination of the back of the eye to observe the health of the optic nerve.  
  • Visual Field Test: a test to check for any abnormal blind spots.  
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This device can scan the 10 layers of the retina which is less than 1 mm to detect early changes in diabetic patients. It is also used to measure the nerve fiber thickness of the optic nerve to detect and manage glaucoma.  

 

How Is Glaucoma Treated? 

At our eyecare center, we carefully monitor the progress of glaucoma and other eye diseases for our patients. Most cases of glaucoma can be effectively treated with eye drops or other medicines. Sometimes, surgery may be needed. Unfortunately, if there’s any vision loss from glaucoma, it’s usually irreversible. However, if we catch it early, treat it promptly, and monitor it regularly, you can still maintain your current lifestyle.  

 

To avoid any complications from eye diseases, make sure to get regular eye exams. Give our office a call today to schedule your exam.