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Frequently
Asked Questions |
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Q: What is the optic nerve? |
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A:
The optic nerve
is a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers.
It connects the retina, the light-sensitive layer
of tissue at the back of the eye, with the brain.
A healthy optic nerve is necessary for good vision.
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Q: How does glaucoma
damage the optic nerve? |
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A:
In many people, increased pressure inside
the eye causes glaucoma. In the front of the
eye is a space, called the anterior chamber.
A clear fluid flows continuously in and out
of this space and nourishes nearby tissues.
The fluid leaves the anterior chamber at the
angle where the cornea and iris meet. When
the fluid reaches the angle, it flows through
a spongy meshwork, like a drain, and leaves
the eye. Open-angle glaucoma gets its name
because the angle that allows fluid to drain
out of the anterior chamber is open. However,
for unknown reasons, the fluid passes too
slowly through the meshwork drain. In Angle-closure
glaucoma, this drain is narrow or closed.
As the fluid builds up, the pressure inside
the eye rises. Unless the pressure at the
front of the eye is controlled, it can damage
the optic nerve and cause vision loss.
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Q: If there is a history
of glaucoma in my family, am I likely to inherit
it? |
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A:
Yes, you are at
a higher risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma
can be treated effectively if it is diagnosed
in time, so be sure to have a
regular eye examination by
an ophthalmologist.
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Q: Are both the eyes
affected by a glaucoma attack? |
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A:
Usually, both eyes
are affected. One eye starts damage earlier than
the other does. If you have asymmetric appearance
of the optic nerves, you may be considered a glaucoma
suspect.
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Q: Are there different
types of glaucoma? |
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A: Yes.
In summary there are four main types of glaucoma:
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Open
Angle Glaucoma (OAG): In OAG,
there is excess secretion of the fluid
inside the eye but there is no defect
in the drainage system. |
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Narrow Angle
Glaucoma (NAG): In NAG, the
fluid secretion inside the eye is normal,
but the drainage system is narrow. |
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Low Tension
Glaucoma (LTG): In LTG, the
drainage system is normal, fluid secretion
is also normal (as tested by normal
eye pressure), but even then there is
damage to the optic nerve. |
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Other
than these, there are many conditions,
which can lead to secondary glaucoma. |
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Q: Is the treatment
same for all types of glaucoma? |
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A:
Initial treatment
is oriented towards the lowering of eye pressure.
First, different types of eye drops are tried.
If medicine is not sufficient then laser treatment
is considered. The area to be treated is different
in OAG versus NAG. When laser does not work then
surgery is recommended to open a drainage system
in the eye.
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Q: Is this laser different
from the laser used in Laser Vision Correction? |
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A:
There are different
types of lasers used in management of different
eye diseases and disorders. The laser used in
the treatment of glaucoma is different from the
one used in PRK and LASIK surgery.
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Q: Will my vision
improve after glaucoma surgery? |
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A:
Glaucoma surgery
is different from the cataract
surgery. In cataract surgery,
when the cloudy lens is replaced by lens
implant, the vision usually improves. In
glaucoma, the vision is lost due to nerve
damage. This damage is permanent. Glaucoma
surgery is aimed to prevent further loss
of vision. It cannot restore the lost vision.
Therefore, early diagnosis is very important
to prevent this permanent loss. |
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Q: What are the symptoms
of glaucoma? |
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| A:
At first,
open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms.
Vision stays normal, and there is
no pain. As glaucoma remains untreated,
people may notice that although they
see things clearly in front of them,
they miss objects to the side and
out of the corner of their eye. Without
treatment, people with glaucoma may
find that they suddenly have no side
vision. It may seem as though they
are looking through a tunnel. Over
time, the remaining forward vision
may decrease until there is no vision
left. Angle closure glaucoma causes
severe and acute eye pain, blurry
vision, nausea vomiting etc. Often
an emergency laser treatment is given
to lower the eye pressure.
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Q: How is glaucoma
detected? |
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A:
Most
people think that they have glaucoma
if the pressure in their eye is increased.
This is not always true. High pressure
puts you at risk for glaucoma. It
may not mean that you have the disease.
Whether or not you get glaucoma depends
on the level of pressure that your
optic nerve can tolerate without being
damaged. This level is different for
each person. Although normal pressure
is usually between 12-21 mm Hg, a
person might have glaucoma even if
the pressure is in this range. That
is why an
eye examination
is very important. |
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Q: What is involved
in the complete evaluation of glaucoma? |
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A:
A complete
evaluation of glaucoma involves checking
the eye pressure, clinical examination of
the optic nerve, photograph
if necessary, and baseline peripheral vision
test called “visual
field examination.” Later
on pachymetry
and or HRT
is also recommended for evaluation and
follow-up of glaucoma. If diagnosed early,
medicine can be prescribed to treat this
disease. The risk factors for glaucoma increase
with increasing age, positive family history,
myopia,
history of diabetes etc.
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Q: What can I do to
protect my vision? |
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A:
If you are
being treated for glaucoma, be sure to take
your glaucoma medicine every day and see
your ophthalmologist regularly. You can
also help protect the vision of family members
and friends who may be at high risk for
glaucoma. Afro-Americans over age 40 and
everyone over age 60 are at a higher risk
of glaucoma. Encourage them to have an eye
examination through dilated
pupils every one-two years.
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Q: Can glaucoma be
treated? |
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A:
As a rule, damage
caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. Treatment
often can control it. This makes early diagnosis
and treatment important to protect your sight.
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Q: I want to get my
eyes checked for glaucoma, what is the next step? |
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A:
Schedule an
appointment at NeoVision Eye Center by calling
toll free
at 1-877-NEOVISION
(1-877-636-8474).
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