What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes changes to the peripheral vision due to damage to the optic nerve.

The optic nerve is the cable that connects the eye to the brain. 

Risk factors for glaucoma include age, genetics (it runs in families), high pressure in the eye, history of eye injury, thin corneas and other eye anatomy differences, and some systemic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and migraines.

There are several different types of glaucoma:

• Open angle glaucoma

• Angle closure glaucoma

• Normal tension glaucoma

• Pigmentary glaucoma

• Neovascular glaucoma

It is the standard of care that patients who have glaucoma or are a glaucoma suspect have at least one dilated eye exam per year.

Additionally, your optometrist may recommend more testing including:

• Intraocular pressure: the pressure in your eye

• Visual field testing: the sensitivity of your peripheral vision

• Retinal photography: pictures of the optic nerve

• Optic nerve OCT: a scan to look for damage to the optic nerve

• Pachymetry: a measurement of the thickness of your cornea

• Gonioscopy: an evaluation of the drainage system of the eye

The treatment options for glaucoma include:

• Eye drops to lower the pressure in the eye

• Laser treatments or surgery to alter the drainage system of the eye