Glaucoma Overview

Glaucoma is a serious condition of the eye characterized by an increase in eye pressure, which causes permanent damage to the optic nerve. There are two types of glaucoma:

• Open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common type, and it occurs when the fluid in your eyes drains slowly, like a slow kitchen drain.
• Angle-glaucoma: This type is less common, and it occurs when fluid cannot drain from the eye, causing a rapid increase in eye pressure.

Both types are due to a problem with the eye's drainage system, and the professionals at Bradley J. Phillips MD LLC can create a treatment plan to slow the progression of the disease.

Symptoms Of Glaucoma

In the early stages, open-angle glaucoma shows no symptoms. As the disease progresses, you can experience patchy blind spots in your peripheral vision and, in the advanced stages, tunnel vision.

Angle-closure glaucoma causes more immediate and serious symptoms. They include:

• Severe headaches
• Severe eye pain
• Blurry vision
• Redness of the eye
• Seeing halos around lights
• Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosing Glaucoma

This condition can be diagnosed during your annual eye exam. During the exam, your eye doctor will test the pressure in your eye. If it is elevated, they will perform further tests to confirm the diagnosis.

• Pachymetry to measure the corneal thickness
• Gonioscopy to inspect the drainage angle
• Visual field test to check for areas of vision loss

Treatment For Glaucoma

In the early stages of the disease, your eye doctor may want to monitor your condition. As the disease progresses, there are treatment options to slow the progression of the disease.

• Eye drops: Your doctor can prescribe eye drops to lower the pressure in your eyes, preventing further damage to the optic nerve.
• Laser trabeculoplasty: This is a common treatment for open-angle glaucoma. Your doctor will use a laser to open the clog in the eye's drainage system.
• Trabeculectomy: During this procedure, your eye doctor will create an opening in the white of your eye to remove part of the eye's drainage system, allowing it to function better.
• Drainage tubes: Your eye doctor can insert a small shunt in your eyes, allowing the fluid to drain, reducing the pressure in your eye.

Call Bradley J. Phillips MD Today

Since the most common type of glaucoma shows no early symptoms, it is essential that you schedule annual eye exams with Bradley J. Phillips MD LLC. in Somerset. Our ophthalmologist can slow the progression of your condition. We offer complete eye care services and can treat cataracts and other eye conditions. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.