Feature Article
Glaucoma awareness month
 

January is glaucoma awareness month. Most people have heard about this condition, but aren't sure what it is. Glaucoma is a large group of diseases that involve a characteristic damage to the optic nerve causing peripheral vision loss in its early stages and more severe, central vision loss in its later stages.

 

Sometimes this is related to an elevated eye pressure (intraocular pressure), but not always. However, it is known that lowering eye pressure can reduce the rate of progression of the disease and, as of now, it is the only modifiable risk factor.


Who gets glaucoma?

Glaucoma affects people of all backgrounds and from all parts of the world, and it is not known exactly what causes it in many cases. However, it is known that it often runs in families (i.e., it is a genetic disease). Therefore, it is important to know if a family member has the disease. Risk increases with age and is more common in people of African or Hispanic background. A history of eye trauma, steroid use, and thin corneas also increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

 

Are there different types of glaucoma and what are the symptoms?

There are many types of glaucoma. The two broad categories of disease are open angle glaucoma and angle closure glaucoma. This refers to the drainage channel of the eye. The most common type is primary open angle glaucoma, which is slowly progressive and completely asymptomatic until its late stages. Angle closure glaucoma is also common, and in its sudden onset form, may be symptomatic with headache, blurred vision, eye redness, and eye pain. This requires urgent intervention. There are various other types of glaucoma such as neovascular glaucoma (associated with new blood vessels growing inappropriately in the eye), glaucoma associated with inflammation, glaucoma associated with trauma, and congenital glaucoma (glaucoma present from birth).

 

How do I get tested for glaucoma?

An eye doctor can perform an eye exam assessing your vision, eye pressure and optic nerve and may order a few additional tests to assess the optic nerve, cornea thickness and peripheral vision to diagnose glaucoma.

 

What is the treatment for glaucoma?

Initially, eye drops can be used to lower the eye pressure. Laser is also used early in the treatment of glaucoma and this can help decrease the number of eye drops or even avoid needing eye drops. Newer, minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries can also be helpful in treating glaucoma and are often combined with routine cataract surgery. In advanced cases, incision surgery such as filtering surgery or tube shunts may be needed as well.

 

UT Health Physicians specializing in glaucoma include Corey Waldman, M.D., a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and Brian Planchard, M.D., a

fellowship-trained cornea specialist who treats glaucoma patients. 

 

For an appointment, call the eye experts at UT Health Physicians: 210-450-9400. 
Event: Is Lifestyle Important for Preventing Dementia?

Join expert physicians and scientists on Wednesday, January 31, 5-7pm, to learn more about dementia, including advanced research and patient-baseds discussion on the onset and advancement of dementia, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.