Glaucoma FAQ's
Can glaucoma lead to blindness?
Because glaucoma causes damage of the optic nerve, and the optic nerve is important for vision, it is possible to lose your vision from glaucoma. The good news is that if glaucoma is detected early, before severe nerve damage can occur, it is rare to have vision loss as long as the glaucoma is treated appropriately and you use your medications. Most people who have severe vision loss from glaucoma either had the disease for many years before it was correctly diagnosed, or did not follow through on their follow up visits and medication use. The best way to avoid severe vision loss from glaucoma is to 1) find an excellent doctor that you trust and who has experience in taking care of glaucoma (click here for more details), 2) follow his or her instructions diligently using any medications as prescribed on a daily basis,
and 3) return for all of your follow up visits so the eye pressures, optic nerve, and glaucoma testing can be closely followed.
Are lasers used for the treatment of glaucoma?
Yes, there are two different laser treatments currently available for lowering the eye pressure. The first is called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, or SLT. The second is called Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty or ALT. The general concept with each laser treatment is the same in that the laser causes small burns to the trabecular meshwork or drainage area of the eye. This small injury results in healing that then repairs and cleans out the drain that lowers the eye pressure. There are many different laser treatments used in ophthalmology, which can be confusing. The SLT and ALT lasers are not designed to improve the vision, only to make the pressure lower.
If the eye drops do not help me see better why do I need to take them?
The treatment of glaucoma is centered on lowering the eye pressure to prevent further nerve damage from occurring. Medicated eye drops help to lower the eye pressure through several different mechanisms. No eye drop will improve the vision, but they are very important to prevent continued vision loss from occurring.
How often should I have my eye pressure checked if I have glaucoma?
The average time interval between pressure checks is four months. However, this will vary depending on how well the pressure is controlled, how much nerve damage is present, and how well you are tolerating the therapy. With severe glaucoma damage it is not unusual to have the pressure checked every two to three months. For very mild and well-controlled glaucoma you may only need it checked every 6-12 months. Your doctor will assess your findings and make his or her best recommendations individualized to your care.
Is it possible to restore vision that has been lost due to glaucoma nerve damage?
Unfortunately, at this time there is no therapy that will improve or heal the damaged optic nerve. Neuro-regeneration is a very active area of research, and scientists have been able to re-grow optic nerve cells in mice. However, it is likely to be many years before doctors are able to heal the optic nerve in humans. Because of this it is vitally important that glaucoma is diagnosed early and that all efforts are made to prevent further nerve damage from occurring once the diagnosis is made.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
Unfortunately, early glaucoma has no symptoms. Mild-to-moderate pressure elevations, in the range of 22 to 30 or more, will give no significant eye pain and no visual changes. If the pressure increases higher than this it is possible to have eye ache, pain, or blurred vision. One form of glaucoma known as acute angle closure glaucoma does have significant symptoms of eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and redness. If you experience these symptoms an eye specialist should evaluate you immediately. Because glaucoma has no symptoms the only way it can be diagnosed is through regular screening eye examinations conducted by your ophthalmologist or optometrist.
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