Ocular Disease Management

Open-Angle Glaucoma

It is estimated that over two million Americans have some type of glaucoma and half of them do not know it. Ninety percent of glaucoma patients have open-angle glaucoma. Although it cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled. Vision loss may be minimized with early treatment. The eye receives its nourishment from a clear fluid that circulates inside the eye.

This fluid must be constantly returned to the blood stream through the eye's drainage canal, called the trabecular meshwork. In the case of open-angle glaucoma, something has gone wrong with the drainage canal. When the fluid cannot drain fast enough, pressure inside the eye begins to build.

This excess fluid pressure pushes against the delicate optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. If the pressure remains too high for too long, irreversible vision loss can occur.

Symptoms of open-angle glaucoma:

• In the early stages, there are no symptoms. There is no pain or outward sign of trouble.
• Mild aching in the eyes
• Gradual loss of peripheral vision (the top, sides and bottom areas of vision)
• Seeing halos around lights
• Reduced visual acuity (especially at night, that is not correctable with glasses)

Who is at risk

Glaucoma can occur in people of all races at any age. However, the likelihood of developing glaucoma increases if you:

• are African American
• have a relative with glaucoma
• are diabetic
• are very nearsighted
• are over 35 years of age

Diagnosing and Treating Open-Angle Glaucoma:

Everyone should be checked for glaucoma at around age 35 and again at age 40. Those considered to be at higher risk, including those over the age of 60 should have their pressure checked every year or two. Treatments for open-angle glaucoma:

To control glaucoma, your doctor will use one of three basic types of treatment: medicines, laser surgery, or filtration surgery. The goal of treatment is to lower the pressure in the eye.