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Glaucoma Information

Learn about this condition, its impact, and our breakthrough treatment approach

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WHAT IS GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure). It is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60, though it can occur at any age.

Glaucoma typically progresses slowly and can cause irreversible vision loss before any symptoms become apparent. For this reason, it is often called the "silent thief of sight."

TYPES OF GLAUCOMA

  • Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common form, develops slowly over time.
  • Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Can occur suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).
  • Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Optic nerve damage occurs despite normal eye pressure.
  • Congenital Glaucoma: Present at birth or develops in early childhood.
  • Secondary Glaucoma: Occurs as a result of other eye conditions, injuries, or medications.

SYMPTOMS

Open-Angle Glaucoma:

  • Gradual loss of peripheral vision, typically in both eyes
  • Tunnel vision in advanced stages
  • Often no symptoms in early stages

Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma:

  • Severe eye pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sudden blurry vision
  • Halos around lights
  • Redness of the eye
  • Headache

RISK FACTORS

  • High intraocular pressure
  • Age over 60
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Ethnicity (higher risk in African, Asian, and Hispanic populations)
  • Medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure)
  • Thin corneas
  • Eye injuries or certain eye surgeries
  • Long-term corticosteroid medication use
  • High myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness)

DIAGNOSIS

Comprehensive eye exams for glaucoma typically include:

  • Tonometry: Measurement of intraocular pressure
  • Ophthalmoscopy: Examination of the optic nerve
  • Perimetry: Visual field test to check peripheral vision
  • Gonioscopy: Examination of the drainage angle
  • Pachymetry: Measurement of corneal thickness
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Detailed images of the optic nerve

STANDARD TREATMENT

Conventional treatments for glaucoma focus on lowering intraocular pressure and include:

Medications:

  • Eye drops (prostaglandins, beta blockers, alpha-adrenergic agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors)
  • Oral medications (usually carbonic anhydrase inhibitors)

Surgical Procedures:

  • Laser therapy (trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, cyclophotocoagulation)
  • Filtering surgery (trabeculectomy)
  • Drainage implants
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

While these treatments can slow or prevent further vision loss, damage that has already occurred cannot typically be reversed.

OUR APPROACH

Our approach to glaucoma management combines traditional pressure-lowering strategies with innovative therapies aimed at neuroprotection and improving ocular blood flow. We focus on personalized treatment plans that may include specialized nutritional supplements, dietary modifications, and therapies designed to support optic nerve health.

Our protocol aims to not only control intraocular pressure but also address underlying factors that contribute to optic nerve damage in glaucoma.

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REFERENCES

  • American Academy of Ophthalmology. "Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma." (2023)
  • Glaucoma Research Foundation. "Types of Glaucoma." (2022)
  • Journal of Ophthalmology. "Current Approaches to Glaucoma Management." (2022)
  • American Optometric Association. "Care of the Patient with Strabismus: Reference Guide." (2023)