What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness. Once glaucoma is detected, there are options to help slow its progression. Yet, the most common type of glaucoma doesn't show any symptoms during its early stages. You need regular eye exams to check for glaucoma and other eye conditions. Our optometrist at Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates in Columbia, SC, can screen for glaucoma and suggest treatment options.

What Does Glaucoma Do?

Your eyes have fluid that occasionally drains when there is a pressure buildup. When that fluid doesn't drain properly, the fluid in your eye builds up, puts pressure on your optic nerve, and causes irreversible damage. This condition is referred to as glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that progressively damages the optic nerve, responsible for carrying visual information from the eye to the brain. The main characteristic of glaucoma is the increased intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eye, which can cause compression and damage to the optic nerve fibers over time.

What Types of Glaucoma Are There?

There are several types of glaucoma, each with its characteristics and risk factors. The two major types of glaucoma are open-angle and angle-closure.

Open-Angle Glaucoma, or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), is the most common form. It occurs when the drainage angle in the eye is open. Still, the drainage canals become clogged over time, resulting in increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and damage to the optic nerve.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma, or narrow-angle glaucoma, occurs when the iris is close to the drainage angle, blocking it partially or entirely. This type leads to a sudden and severe increase in intraocular pressure and requires immediate medical attention.

While angle-closure glaucoma can show signs such as eye pain, headaches, and blurry vision, open-angle doesn't show any symptoms until its advanced stages.

How Can You Tell If I Have Glaucoma?

We check the pressure of your eyes with a tool called a tonometer. We also perform other tests that can tell us if you are losing peripheral vision, which can indicate if you suffer optic nerve damage due to glaucoma.

What If I Have Glaucoma?

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, working closely with our eye care professional to manage the condition effectively and preserve your vision is essential. The most important thing to remember if you have glaucoma is to seek treatment. Treatments include eye drops, oral drugs, and lifestyle changes.

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates

Glaucoma can be a scary diagnosis. At Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates in Columbia, SC, we want to help you. Call us at (803) 254-6306 to schedule an exam with our optometrist to protect your vision.