Glaucoma Experts
Types of Glaucoma
There are two main types of Glaucoma:
- Open-angle Glaucoma
- Angle-closure Glaucoma
Both are caused by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye.
Open-angle Glaucoma is the most common form of Glaucoma. Increased eye pressure is caused by the slow blockage of the drainage canals. At first, Open-angle Glaucoma has no symptoms, causes no pain, and the patient may not notice any loss of sight for many years.
Without treatment, people with Open-angle Glaucoma will slowly lose their peripheral (side) vision. Gradually, their central vision may decrease until no vision remains. If caught early and treated, this type of Glaucoma responds well to a regimen of medications.
Angle-closure Glaucoma, can occur if your iris is too narrow and closed. If the pupil gets bigger than the iris can accommodate, or if the pupil’s size changes too fast, that causes the iris’s outer edge to bunch up and block the drainage canals. As with Open-angle Glaucoma, blocked drainage canals cause the intra-ocular pressure to increase rapidly, which in turn damages the optic nerve. Symptoms include severe pain and nausea, as well as redness of the eye and blurred vision. If you have these symptoms, seek treatment at NJ Eye and Ear immediately.
Treatment of Glaucoma
While there is no cure as yet for Glaucoma, early diagnosis and continuing treatment can preserve eyesight. If you are diagnosed with Glaucoma by a NJ Eye and Ear ophthalmologist, treatment prescribed may include medication, surgery, or a combination of both.
There are many different types of prescription eye drops that lower your intra-ocular pressure (IOP) and prevent additional damage to the optic nerve. Your doctor will decide which ones are best for your type of Glaucoma.
Studies show that laser surgery is also very effective at reducing the IOP in some patients. The effects can wear off over time however, and your doctor may suggest further treatment such as Trabeculectomy or Glaucoma Valve Implants.
NJ Eye and Ear is committed to ensuring the health of your eyes. Our board certified ophthalmologists closely monitor Glaucoma problems when they arise, and provide treatment as needed.
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