Glaucoma is a potentially sight-threatening disease that can affect anyone at any age, but is most commonly found in those persons over 40 years old. More than 2.2 million Americans are known to have glaucoma. Since there are no symptoms at first, many people may have the disease and are not aware of it. Knowing your risk factors and scheduling regular eye examinations with your ophthalmologist are important for early detection and management of glaucoma.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition in which the optic nerve is damaged. The optic nerve is the nerve behind the eye which carries the images we see to the brain. Damage to the nerve is usually associated with elevated pressure inside the eye, also called intraocular pressure. However, there are other factors which can be involved in the development of glaucoma. Regardless of the cause, untreated glaucoma will result in loss of vision.

What are the risk factors?

• Diabetes
• African-Americans over the age of 40
• Anyone over the age of 60
• A blood relative with a history of glaucoma
• A past experience of elevated eye pressure
• A history of a serious eye injury which may have occurred years before

Awareness of your risk factors will help with early detection and treatment of glaucoma. Many times there are no noticeable early symptoms. By the time you have symptoms, the disease may have progressed to permanent visual loss. Noticeable symptoms are blurred vision, red eye, eye pain, loss of peripheral vision, difficulty focusing on objects, and the presence of halos around lights.

How is glaucoma treated?

Although there is no known cure for glaucoma, visual loss can usually be prevented or delayed if treatment is started early. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, and if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Successful glaucoma management begins with early detection during the yearly Comprehensive Eye Examination by an ophthalmologist.

At Rockingham Eye Associates, those patients suspected of having glaucoma are evaluated in the office at least once a year. We use a number of advanced technology instruments that range from digital optic nerve photographs and visual fields to the state-of-art Heidelberg (HRT) or Topcon 3D-OCT. These instruments allow the establishment of the baseline or present condition, and are repeated at intervals appropriate to the severity of the glaucoma. Regular tests with these instruments will help to determine any progression of the disease and also if the present treatment plan has stopped the progression of the disease.

What is a visual field?

A visual field measures a patient’s response to standardized visual testing. It tells the doctor how well the visual system is working, specifically in those areas of sight known to be affected most by glaucoma.

What is a Heidelberg (HRT)?

The HRT is an instrument that scans the optic nerve with a safe, low-power laser beam. The results of the HRT examination are compared to those of known normal patients. The measurements are also compared to the patient’s previous testing results to see if progression or change has occurred since the last examination. This test is most valuable when repeated over time.

What is Topcon 3D-OCT?

The OCT is another related but different type of scanning laser instrument that is used to view and measure the cross section of the optic nerve and to evaluate the initial condition and changes of the retinal nerve fiber layer. This test is frequently used to resolve conflicts between test results on the visual field and HRT machines.

What is retinal photography?

This test is used to record the configuration of the optic nerve as it appears on physical inspection of the optic nerve. It is typically used to document an anatomical optic nerve appearance that might be considered unusual but not diseased.

What is ultrasonic corneal pachymetry?

Pachymetry is the measurement of the central corneal thickness. This information is useful in correcting erroneous intraocular pressure readings of people with either unusually thick or thin corneas. Accurate intraocular pressure readings ensure better glaucoma management. This test is typically performed only once on a patient, as corneal thickness does not change.

Can glaucoma be treated with a laser?

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT laser) is the preferred treatment for mild to moderate glaucoma. Dr. Haines has been using the SLT laser to treat glaucoma since 2004 with very favorable results for patients. The SLT laser treatment is relatively inexpensive, is covered by insurance, and often does not require supplemental medications for control of glaucoma. Advanced cases frequently require additional medication or surgical intervention.

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