Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment - Doctors with experience
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which elevated pressure within the eyeball is associated with damage to the optic nerve. There are many varieties of glaucoma but by far the most common is primary open angle glaucoma (POAG); a dangerous disease with no symptoms and a major cause of blindness in the USA. POAG makes reference to the angle between the cornea and the iris. The "angle" is where the iris and cornea meet 360º; fluid created behind the iris flows through the pupil and out the "filtration angle." In primary open angle glaucoma, fluid does not exit the eyeball as it should and a dangerous rise in intraocular (inside the eyeball) pressure is required to move the fluid out of the eye. If one has elevated eye pressure and/or apparent nerve damage, tests such as computerized peripheral visual field and photography of the optic nerve must be done. If the diagnosis of primary glaucoma is made, treatment is begun with eye drops. For the few cases in which response is inadequate to medication, laser and/or surgery can be performed. Treatment usually is successful and close follow-up is mandatory.
Acute narrow angle glaucoma is rare; the angle becomes occluded because it is anatomically very narrow. Severe pain and blurred vision (halos) are noted with this form of acute glaucoma. If done early before damage to the optic nerve, laser therapy is effective.
Other forms of glaucoma can be secondary; i.e., caused by inflammation, eye disease, or some drugs.
The Eye Medical Clinic has had a large glaucoma practice since inception in 1946, and we continue to utilize the latest medicines and surgical procedures for this disease.
Eye Medical Clinic
220 Meridian Avenue
San Jose, California, 95126
(408) 869-3400
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