Can Glaucoma Be Cured?
Glaucoma probably one of the most well known eye conditions. Due to the cloudy or foggy nature of the eyes when one develops glaucoma, it is easy to see. Animals frequently also develop glaucoma as they get up in their age, further making people aware of the struggle. Although it is a well known eye condition, oftentimes people just don’t really know what it means.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in people ages 40 and older. Glaucoma is a disease that if left untreated can lead to irreversible vision loss from damage done to the optic nerve. The most common form of glaucoma happens as a result of increased pressure in the fluid of the eye, known as increased intraocular pressure. There have even been instances of glaucoma reported where people have experienced optic nerve damage when the intraocular pressure has been normal, this is why it is so important to get regular eye exams.
The disease is characterized by having too much pressure in the eye caused by fluid buildup. This clear fluid, known as aqueous humor, continuously flows through the inner eye. If your eye’s natural drainage system is not functioning properly, or excess fluid is produced, there is buildup that causes pressure in the inner eye. This can eventually damage the optic nerve, which is what allows us to see images clearly. You may begin to develop blind spots, often starting in your side (peripheral) vision. Since the vision loss from glaucoma of the eye is typically gradual, the disease often goes unnoticed until the optic nerve is significantly damaged.
There are two main types of glaucoma. Open angle glaucoma is the most common form and gradually develops over time. This results from an imbalance between the aqueous fluid and drainage system, causing fluid buildup and abnormal eye pressure. Acute angle closure glaucoma (also called narrow-angle glaucoma), is a less common form of glaucoma that occurs when the iris of the eye arches forward, creating a sudden blockage of the fluid drainage system. This type of glaucoma is characterized by sudden pain in the eye, often accompanied by blurry vision, nausea, and vomiting. Acute angle closure glaucoma requires immediate treatment.
In addition to open angle and acute angle closure glaucoma, babies can be born with congenital glaucoma, which is when the drainage openings in their eye(s) develop a defect, preventing proper fluid drainage. Routine screenings can help monitor your eye health and detect glaucoma in its earliest stages. During these visits, your eye doctor will check your eye pressure, and if it is higher than normal, they will perform further tests to determine if there have been changes in the optic nerve that may indicate glaucoma. By utilizing multiple ophthalmic tools, your doctor can provide an accurate glaucoma diagnosis by examining your eye pressure, side and central vision, and interior structures of your eye.
If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, your eye doctor will closely monitor its progress during regularly scheduled visits. Detailed photographs of the optic nerve can show any changes that may indicate surgery is necessary.
Can Glaucoma Be Cured?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma. The best way to slow the progression of this condition is to improve lifestyle habits and stick to your plan of care prescribed by your doctor. Any vision loss that happens due to glaucoma can not be restored with current medical advancements. However, working with your doctor, you can slow the progression and there are treatment options available to help with this, including laser treatment. This is why the sooner glaucoma is diagnosed the better.
Treatment for glaucoma is designed to lower your eye pressure, improve fluid drainage, or reduce fluid production. It is important to note that damage from the disease is irreversible, but when caught early, you can typically avoid severe vision loss. The eye surgeons at Perich Eye Center offer the following forms of treatment to effectively control your glaucoma: Eye Drops and Laser Therapy.
Glaucoma is first treated and maintained with prescription eye drops and medications which must be taken regularly to be effective. In some cases, we can treat glaucoma with therapy or surgery, but any vision once lost will unfortunately be lost for good.
Laser therapy may be an option to treat glaucoma. The need for surgery to treat your glaucoma will be determined by one of our doctors at Perich Eye Center. Depending on the type you have, we will recommend one of these options:
Trabeculectomy: This involves the doctor putting a tiny cut on the white part of the eye to let fluid build up drain which can be either a Xen Stent or an Ahmed Shunt.
Cyclophotocoagulation: This may be a suitable option if others are not recommended. A small laser is used in multiple settings to relieve pressure within the eye.
SLT (Selective laser trabeculoplasty): In this laser surgery, the doctor will use a highly targeted but low-level laser on the spots where there’s a pressure build up. This cold laser therapy is not painful and opens up blocked drainage ducts in a way that minimizes discomfort as well as scar tissue development. We will discuss how long it may take for you to see results after your SLT procedure at one of your pre-surgical appointments. Depending on the severity of your condition, results can be seen in as little as one month.
We will discuss how long it may take for you to see results after your SLT procedure at one of your pre-surgical appointments. Depending on the severity of your condition, results can be seen in as little as one month. Compared to some glaucoma medications, SLT offers better side effect rates, with only mild inflammation reported by post-operative SLT patients. Inflammation following SLT is managed with eye drops or NSAIDS.
SLT typically lasts for one to five years. In some cases the benefits of SLT last for more than five years. In rare cases, SLT patients may see a return of glaucoma-based pressure in their eyes within 6 to 12 months of surgery. If this happens, we will continue to work with you to find other workable options for your care.
Some glaucoma patients find that SLT controls intraocular pressure completely. Others may need to take glaucoma medication as a supplement to glaucoma laser surgery. While Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty should not be considered as a glaucoma cure, SLT can definitely help reduce the severity of intraocular pressure.
What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
We often call glaucoma the silent thief for its lack of noticeable symptoms that will damage eyesight without warning. Noticeable physical symptoms may not show up until it’s too late. Signs and symptoms will vary depending on the type of glaucoma you have. You may begin to develop blind spots, often starting in your side (peripheral) vision. If you have primary open-angle glaucoma, your first noticeable symptom may be vision loss.
If you have acute-angle closure glaucoma, your first sign may be blurred vision. You may also notice rings or halos around lights and eyes that get red and feel strained often. Since the vision loss from glaucoma is typically gradual, the disease often goes unnoticed until the optic nerve is significantly damaged. Here are some of the early signs you may have glaucoma forming:
Sensitivity to Light:
Although this is not exclusive to glaucoma as an early warning sign, it is something that should always be checked out by an eye doctor. If you fins that light is giving you more trouble than normal or that it lasts longer than the normal few seconds to short minutes, then you will want to get checked out. This symptom as it relates to glaucoma is most often seen in younger people for the disease.
Rings or Halos Around Lights:
This one is pretty easy to recognize when you start to see it and realize it, you will know it needs to be looked at. These rings or halos may be rainbow colored even. This is sometimes noticed with sensitivity to the light as well.Blurred Vision:
If you are someone who has never worn glasses or contacts and you start to notice your vision is getting blurry, then again it’s time to get checked out. Those of us with glasses are hyper aware when our vision changes and are typically more inclined to make the appointment to see if we need an updated prescription. Not to say that people with glasses cannot be having early signs of glaucoma, just that you are probably quicker to have it checked out.
Vision Loss- Especially in Your Peripheral Vision:
This can be confused with blurry vision but of course which you experience it as- it’s time to see the doc! Loosing your peripheral vision may not be as easy to notice. You might all of a sudden realize you have be turning your head more to see everything. When you do find this to be troublesome, it could be a sign of glaucoma. This is to be taken very seriously.Cloudy Looking Eyes:
This one is the most commonly known issue- in part to our pets having this issue often. You see older dogs and cats with cloudy looking eyes and you know its glaucoma. Well, it is no different in humans. Hopefully this is not the first sign for you, as it means the disease could be more advanced. If you notice this in a loved one, make sure they take it seriously as well.
Testing for glaucoma is always part of a complete eye exam. It is important to come in for regular eye exams so that we can establish a history record that enables us to easily detect changes. At Perich Eye Center, we are highly trained to recognize and test for glaucoma. We use a painless procedure called tonometry to measure the internal pressure of your eye.
Is glaucoma Genetic?
If your family has a history of having glaucoma, you are indeed at a higher risk of getting it as well. It is possible for anyone to develop glaucoma however, regardless of having this history or not. Making sure to get tested on your annual eye exam is very important to be able to catch any new developments early. If you are aware of family members having glaucoma, make sure you talk with your doctor about this.
Who Gets Glaucoma?
Over two million people in the United States are currently living with some form of glaucoma, making it one of the most prevalent conditions we treat. Risk factors include but are not limited to family history of glaucoma, low eye pressure, pre existing conditions like diabetes and heart disease, smoking, nearsightedness, and race. African Americans are more susceptible to open angle glaucoma and are fifteen times more likely to experience blindness as a result of this condition.
By age 40, you should get checked for glaucoma every two to three years. At Perich Eye Center, our team offers effective treatment options for glaucoma, helping control the condition to prevent worsening of your vision. If you would like to set up an appointment to learn more about the disease and whether you are at risk, please feel free to contact us through our web form or see our locations below to find one near you to call today.
