Each year, many people make their New Year’s resolution to focus more on their health, or be more proactive! One of the best things you can do for your vision and eye health is to have regular, comprehensive eye exams. For most people, regular means at least once every one to two years. Depending on your age, risk status, and health history, we may recommend more frequent exams.
Let’s take a look at one of the diseases that a comprehensive eye exam can help prevent damage for: glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It is a sneaky and silent disease - often, those who have it are not aware until their vision is already significantly damaged. Glaucoma develops when the optic nerve, the eye’s connection with the brain, becomes damaged. Typically, this is due to elevated eye pressure.
Several different forms of glaucoma exist, and the most common form is open-angle glaucoma. This form has no early signs or symptoms at the beginning. As the disease progresses, blind spots begin to develop in the peripheral vision.
Open-angle glaucoma often develops very gradually, which can make it difficult for you to notice outward symptoms until damage is already done.
Detecting Glaucoma
We use a handheld device, known as the iCare tonometer, to measure the pressure of your eye. It might feel a bit weird, some would say it's an eyelash tickling sensation, but it’s harmless and over in less than a minute!
We also use iWellness technology in our screening exams to detect eye diseases including glaucoma! The iWellness exam allows us to scan the retina for any abnormalities or underlying issues before symptoms may show up.
Many eye diseases - including glaucoma - have no outward signs in early stages, but are able to be detected with iWellness technology. We can detect problems very early on, which helps with diagnosis, treatment, and preventing further damage. This is why it's important to regularly get examined, even if nothing seems wrong.
Risk Factors
You are at a higher risk for glaucoma if you meet any of these criteria:
High eye pressure
Have a family history of glaucoma
Are over age 60 (with an even higher risk if you are Hispanic or Latino)
Are Black and over age 40
Have certain other medical conditions, including diabetes, myopia, heart disease, high blood pressure or sickle cell anemia
Are extremely nearsighted or farsighted
Treatment Methods
The following treatment options are available for glaucoma:
Prescription eye drops, which will reduce the pressure in the eye. This is the most common treatment.
Laser treatment to drain fluid from the eye
Surgery (if neither of the above options are successful)
According to the National Eye Institute, half of those with glaucoma do not even know that they have it. Detecting and treating glaucoma as early as possible will prevent future damage and protect your vision.
Use the appointment button at the top of our site or give us a call to schedule your comprehensive exam today!
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