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Glaucoma
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While glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S., loss of vision from glaucoma can be prevented with early treatment. Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, which contains nerve fibers that carry images we see to the brain. When pressure inside the eye increases, damage to the optic nerve fibers may occur, which cause blind spots. These spots usually go undetected until the optic nerve is significantly damaged, resulting in blindness.
Clear liquid, called the aqueous humor, circulates inside the front portion of the eye. A small amount of this liquid is being produced constantly, while an equal amount flows out of the eye through a microscopic drainage system, called the drainage angle, maintaining a constant pressure within the eye. If the drainage system for the aqueous humor is blocked, the liquid cannot exit the eye and fluid pressure will increase.
While there are many risk factors to be considered, the most important ones include age, family history of glaucoma, African ancestry and past eye injuries. Dr. Ranelle will evaluate these factors before deciding if you will need treatment for glaucoma or if you will be monitored as a glaucoma suspect, meaning your risk of developing glaucoma is higher than normal.
Although damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, eye drops, oral medications and surgery can help prevent further damage. Usually, glaucoma is treated with daily eye drops. These can decrease the pressure by slowing the production of the aqueous humor or by improving the drainage angle flow. Laser and operating room surgery are also options if necessary, which are usually outpatient procedures.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
See an illustration of glaucoma.
Your ophthalmologist at Fort Worth Eye Associates can provide you with more information specific to your case. The above information is not intended to replace a personal exam, medical diagnosis, and/or complete treatment description by an ophthalmologist.
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