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Glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the United States, is an eye disease that can lead to permanent loss of vision. This disease has been labeled the “Sneak Thief of Sight” because in its most typical form, there are no symptoms. No pain, no swelling, no redness. Most patients with glaucoma do not notice symptoms until significant, permanent vision loss has occurred. Glaucoma can affect anyone from newborn infants to the elderly. It has been estimated that up to 3 million Americans have glaucoma. At least half of those people do not know they have it because of the lack of symptoms. People who are at greater risk for glaucoma usually have the following conditions:
Glaucoma usually, but not always, has elevated intraocular pressure. Every eye has fluid, called aqueous humor, that is constantly being produced in the eye as well as constantly being drained out of the eye. In a glaucomatous eye, this fluid does not drain properly resulting in an increase in the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure). Glaucoma destroys vision gradually, usually starting with the peripheral (side) vision; if left untreated, it will lead to blindness. With early diagnosis and treatment, useful vision may be preserved. There are many types of glaucoma: Open Angle Glaucoma. This is the most common type of glaucoma, and occurs slowly over time. There is no pain, redness, swelling or other symptoms. Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma. This happens suddenly and is very painful. Victims of an acute glaucoma attack may complain of serious headache, halos around lights and vomiting. Medical or surgical intervention is needed immediately to bring the pressure under control to prevent further vision loss. Chronic Angle Closure Glaucoma. This condition is more common in Asians and sudden pain is not present like in Acute Angle Closure. Normal Tension Glaucoma. This condition is similar to Open Angle Glaucoma, although, intraocular pressure measurements seem to be with the normal range, but are, in fact, too high for a particular person’s eye. Congenital. Present at birth, congenital glaucoma is a rather rare condition. It is treated by surgery. Secondary. Occurring as a result of systemic disease such as diabetes, from medications such as steroid, or from an eye injury. The best way to detect glaucoma is with a regular eye exam. During this exam we will check the pressure in your eye and your doctor will evaluate your optic nerve. If there is any suspicion of glaucoma, other testing may be done, such as an inspection of the drainage angle of your eye and a visual field test of each eye. Glaucoma can usually be treated with daily eye drops. If the drops are ineffective at lowering the pressure, laser surgery to widen the drainage channels may be considered. If drops and laser treatment do not adequately reduce the pressure, traditional surgery in the operating room may be done.
Many people with cataracts may experience symptoms such as:
Diagnosing a cataract Most cataracts develop as part of the aging process, but may be present at birth (congenital) or result from an injury, systemic disease (diabetes), or steroid use. Using specialized equipment, cataracts, as well as, other eye diseases are diagnosed during a complete eye examination by your eye doctor. The mere presence of a cataract does not indicate the need for surgery. Some cataracts may be slow growing, and vision may be corrected by stronger glasses for a period of time. Some cataracts develop more rapidly that others and your eye doctor can monitor changes in vision and cataracts with periodic eye examinations. Frequently Asked Questions What is a cataract?
Common symptoms of cataracts include:
The amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary. If the cloudiness is not near the center of the lens, you may not be aware that a cataract is present. What causes cataracts?
How is a cataract detected? How fast does a cataract develop? Other cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes, may progress rapidly over a few months and cause vision to worsen. It is not possible to predict exactly how fast cataracts will develop in any given person. How are cataracts treated? There are no medications, dietary supplements, exercises or optical devices that have been shown to prevent or cure cataracts. Protection from excessive sunlight may help prevent or slow the progression of cataracts. Sunglasses that screen ultraviolet (UV) light rays or regular eyeglasses with a clear, anti-UV coating offer this protection. When should surgery be done? It is not true that cataracts need to be “ripe” before they can be removed. Cataract surgery can be performed when your visual needs require it. You must decide if you can see to do your job and drive safely, if you can read and watch TV in comfort. Can you perform daily tasks, such as cooking, shopping, yard work or taking medications without difficulty? Based on your symptoms, you and your ophthalmologist should decide together when surgery is appropriate. What can I expect during and after cataract surgery? During cataract surgery, which is usually performed under topical anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, the cloudy lens is removed from the eye. In most cases, the focusing power of the natural lens is restored by replacing it with a permanent intraocular lens implant. Your ophthalmologist performs this delicate surgery using a microscope, miniature instruments and other modern technology. In approximately one-fifth of people having cataract surgery, the natural capsule that supports the intraocular lens will become cloudy. This may happen from a few months to many years after cataract surgery. Laser surgery is used to open this cloudy capsule, restoring clear vision. After uneventful cataract surgery, you may return almost immediately to all but the most strenuous activities. You will have to take eye drops as your ophthalmologist directs, usually for several weeks. Several post-operative visits are needed to check on the progress of the eye as it heals. Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure. Improved vision is the result in over 90 percent of cases, unless there is a problem with the cornea, retina or optic nerve. It is important to understand that complications can occur during or after the surgery, some severe enough to limit vision. As with any surgery, a good result cannot be guaranteed. At Center for Sight, our board certified surgeons are experienced in state-of-the-art no suture, no injection and no patch cataract surgery. At Center for Sight, our board certified surgeons are experienced in state-of-the-art no suture, no injection and no patch cataract surgery.
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