Glaucoma Management

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease which, left unchecked, damages the optic nerve.  Glaucoma can be unnoticed for years because there are typically no noticeable symptoms.  Because of the asymptomatic nature of Glaucoma, it is the second leading cause of blindness in America.

Glaucoma is characterized by an abnormally high pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure).  If left untreated, this increase in pressure can lead to a progressive loss of vision beginning with a loss of peripheral vision, continuing  to a complete loss of sight.

Detection and Treatment of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is normally detected during routine eye examinations and underscores the importance of routine checks by a skilled professional.  The doctors at Goodman Eye Medical Center are highly trained eye care specialists.  Glaucoma screening is an integral part of our routine comprehensive eye examination.

Goodman Eye Medical Center offers state of the art diagnostic equipment to diagnose the symptoms of glaucoma and its effects such as loss of peripheral vision.  The investment in our new vision center includes addition of diagnostic lasers by Ellex, Inc and Humphrey’s computerized visual field tester. Additionally, The Ellex medical glaucoma laser has been added to give treatment to glaucoma patients who do not respond to medication alone.

There are no currently known cures for glaucoma, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, it can usually be managed to slow or eliminate its effects.  Eye pressure for most glaucoma patients is controlled by medication.