A regular eye exam can save your sight!

Glaucoma, which is actually a group of diseases, is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.  Glaucoma occurs most often when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes (intraocular pressure or IOP) rises, damaging the neurons that form the optic nerve. 

With early treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss. Treatment currently consists of lowering eye pressure through medications, laser, or surgery.

Studies have shown that early detection and treatment of glaucoma, before it causes major vision loss, is the best way to control the disease.  So, if you are in a high-risk group for the disease, have your eyes examined thoroughly every two years by an eye care professional.

Some of the risk factors for Glaucoma

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Family history
• Migraines
• Increased blood pressure
• Injury to the eye
• Long-term steroid treatment

Treatments for Glaucoma

Glaucoma has no cure.  Vision lost from glaucoma cannot be restored, which is why early diagnosis is so important. Glaucoma treatments include medicines, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or a combination of any of these.  While these treatments may save remaining vision, they do not improve sight already lost from glaucoma.