Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of related eye diseases that is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. Only half of the nearly three million people affected by glaucoma know they have it.

Water-like fluid in the eye provides oxygen and nutrients to the lens and cornea and exits through a ring of drains located between the inside edge of the cornea and iris. Glaucoma occurs when this fluid flows slowly out of the eye because the drains become clogged. Intraocular pressure builds inside the eye and, unless it is relieved, can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss. Once nerve cells are destroyed, you may begin to lose peripheral (side) vision.

Anyone can develop glaucoma, but ethnic background can be a factor in the disease’s development. Blacks over age 40 are six to eight times more likely to develop glaucoma. Once they have it, they are 14 to 17 times more likely than Caucasians to go blind. Asians have a greater risk of developing closed-angle and normal-tension glaucoma than Caucasians.

Other risk factors include:

• being over age 60
• family history
• diabetes
• severe nearsightedness
• using certain medications, such as steroids, over a long period of time
• eye injuries

Types and treatment

The most common types of glaucoma are primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma (low-tension glaucoma). The sooner glaucoma is diagnosed and treatment begins, the better the chance of reducing damage. Because there are no symptoms, regular eye examinations can help detect early signs of glaucoma.

Glaucoma usually is treated with prescription eye drops and careful monitoring of the pressure. Sometimes laser treatment or surgery is required. Argon laser trabeculoplasty is one type of laser surgery available. Your Park Nicollet Eye Care professional can help determine what treatment is correct for your condition. Call 952-993-3150 for appointments.