Glaucoma
Comprehensive Eye Care
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Glaucoma is one of the major causes of vision loss in the United States. Manage this condition and preserve your vision with care from the expert eye doctors at West Broward Eyecare Associates in Tamarac, Florida. Call the office or schedule using the online booking agent to have your glaucoma evaluated and to get help with treatment.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by a buildup of pressure within the eye. This pressure can cause vision loss and even blindness.
In a healthy eye, fluid flows in and out of the front space of the eye — or the anterior chamber. This fluid moisturizes the tissue of the eye. When you have glaucoma, however, this fluid moves slowly so pressure increases in the anterior chamber. The pressure causes damage to the optic nerve.
Glaucoma is usually associated with aging and occurs in both eyes.
Glaucoma Q&As
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA?
In its earliest stages, glaucoma might not have any obvious symptoms. With time, however, you may notice:
- A loss of peripheral vision
- Eye pain and blurred vision
- Tunnel vision
- Poor vision, especially in dim lighting
- Some people with glaucoma have redness in their eyes and see the appearance of halos around lights.
HOW IS GLAUCOMA MANAGED?
Early stages of glaucoma benefit from treatment with eyedrops. The West Broward Eyecare Associates doctors may also recommend oral medications. If medications don’t work or aren’t well tolerated, you may benefit from laser treatment or surgery.
Laser treatment, known as selective laser trabeculoplasty, helps lower the intraocular pressure that builds with glaucoma. It’s effective for people with open-angle glaucoma and involves applying laser energy to the drainage tissue in the eye, which leads to better fluid drainage.
WHO IS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING GLAUCOMA?
Glaucoma is often associated with aging, but it can develop due to diabetes, a tumor, inflammation, or an advanced cataract. Risk factors for glaucoma include:
- Getting older
- Eye injuries
- Specific conditions, such as diabetes
- Eye surgery
- Nearsightedness
It’s important to get regular eye exams, especially if you have these risk factors, so glaucoma can be caught early and successfully managed.
WHAT TYPES OF SURGERY TREAT GLAUCOMA?
The team at West Broward Eyecare Associates offers the latest in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). A minimally invasive approach carries less risk of complication than conventional surgical interventions.
MIGS uses microscopic equipment and small incisions. Several different surgeries are available. The doctors determine which one is best for your particular glaucoma condition.