November 2022 Edition
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is one of the more commonly talked about ocular conditions. Fortunately, it is relatively rare compared to other ocular conditions, as it can be devastating to vision and quality of life.
I describe glaucoma to my patients as a disease of the optic nerve caused by inadequate ocular pressure within the eye. There are different forms and stages of glaucoma, but they all fall into this simplified definition. Yes, glaucoma is usually associated with elevated ocular pressure, but many patients with glaucoma have “normal” or average pressures. The treatment goal is to establish and maintain an optimal pressure level within the eye where nerve damage can be halted or slowed down. Once there is damage, it affects peripheral vision first before encroaching into central vision.
There are a few risk factors for developing glaucoma. Some include age, race, and family history. These risk factors are all taken into account when we are screening patients for this condition.
The advent of new technologies has significantly improved our ability to diagnose and manage glaucoma. A physical optic nerve assessment has always been the most important examination component for diagnosing this condition. However, now we are able to evaluate even more detail of the optic nerve that was never possible with physical examination alone. This technology allows us at times to detect glaucoma before any functional vision loss has even occurred. We have had the ability to quantify functional visual field loss due to glaucoma for several decades. However, advancements with these instruments have made examination faster, more comfortable, and more reliable. Incorporating these new technologies into practice is better for our physicians and patients. Besides diagnostic equipment, there have been several new medications that have come out within the last several years. These new medications are more effective and may even eliminate patients from needing a second or third agent. Surgery is also an option for patients with glaucoma as well. Research is always ongoing which helps us determine what may be the best and most effective form of treatment for each patient.
Glaucoma remains a devastating ocular disease. However, never-ending research within the field has led to advancements in diagnostic equipment, treatment protocols, and life-changing outcomes.
Glaucoma is one of the more commonly talked about ocular conditions. Fortunately, it is relatively rare compared to other ocular conditions, as it can be devastating to vision and quality of life.
I describe glaucoma to my patients as a disease of the optic nerve caused by inadequate ocular pressure within the eye. There are different forms and stages of glaucoma, but they all fall into this simplified definition. Yes, glaucoma is usually associated with elevated ocular pressure, but many patients with glaucoma have “normal” or average pressures. The treatment goal is to establish and maintain an optimal pressure level within the eye where nerve damage can be halted or slowed down. Once there is damage, it affects peripheral vision first before encroaching into central vision.
There are a few risk factors for developing glaucoma. Some include age, race, and family history. These risk factors are all taken into account when we are screening patients for this condition.
The advent of new technologies has significantly improved our ability to diagnose and manage glaucoma. A physical optic nerve assessment has always been the most important examination component for diagnosing this condition. However, now we are able to evaluate even more detail of the optic nerve that was never possible with physical examination alone. This technology allows us at times to detect glaucoma before any functional vision loss has even occurred. We have had the ability to quantify functional visual field loss due to glaucoma for several decades. However, advancements with these instruments have made examination faster, more comfortable, and more reliable. Incorporating these new technologies into practice is better for our physicians and patients. Besides diagnostic equipment, there have been several new medications that have come out within the last several years. These new medications are more effective and may even eliminate patients from needing a second or third agent. Surgery is also an option for patients with glaucoma as well. Research is always ongoing which helps us determine what may be the best and most effective form of treatment for each patient.
Glaucoma remains a devastating ocular disease. However, never-ending research within the field has led to advancements in diagnostic equipment, treatment protocols, and life-changing outcomes.