Glaucoma Prevention and Management
Did you know that certain people have a higher risk of developing glaucoma than others? If you or a loved one have any risk factors, there are some things you and they can do to help prevent glaucoma from progressing.
Glaucoma Prevention
The most important aspect of glaucoma prevention is awareness – know what the risk factors are and take extra care to schedule regular eye exams.
Glaucoma does not discriminate and anyone can develop the disease. However, there are certain people who are more at risk, such as:
- African Americans who are older than 40 are 6-8 times more likely to develop glaucoma
- Certain types of medications, like steroids, increase the risk of glaucoma
- Diabetic patients
- People of Asian, Hispanic, or Latino descent
- People over the age of 60
- People with a family history of the disease
- People with high degrees of myopia (nearsightedness)
- Severe eye injury, even if the incident happened many years before
- Advanced cataracts can increase intraocular pressure (IOP), resulting in glaucoma
If you or a loved one fits any of these categories, frequent eye examinations are recommended.
Treatment For Glaucoma
Treatment for glaucoma is typically some combination of medication, surgery, and of course, prevention. Prescription medications or surgical procedures can stabilize intraocular pressure and slow down the progression, preventing additional vision loss. Dr. Yanna Nachtigall will conduct a thorough exam and create a course of action for your exact condition.
Prescription eye drops that lower intraocular pressure is typically the first thing the doctor will advise. Certain eye drops may cause some uncomfortable side effects, but stick with it – the treatment is necessary to retain your remaining vision and stop it from getting worse.
Surgery is intended to improve your eye’s ability to naturally drain fluid or lower the amount of fluid it produces. The doctor may recommend both medication and surgery to boost your odds of successful treatment.
What Is The Latest Research On Glaucoma Disease?
Eye doctors like Dr. Yanna Nachtigall are up to date on the latest research and medical technologies which are used to slow down the development of glaucoma and its effects. There are new, promising techniques with the use of very small implants, which can help excess fluid in the eye more easily drain, relieving the IOP which is at the root of glaucoma.
Because glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness, doctors and researchers are constantly pursuing new avenues of treatment, clinical trials, and new technology that can provide relief for this condition. New research suggests that Optic Nerve Regeneration may be able to regrow nerve fibers that send signals to the brain for visual processing.
The Low Vision Optometry of Central Pennsylvania is at the forefront of medical innovations and we constantly seek out the best and most effective options for our patients. We treat glaucoma patients from the Lititz, Lancaster, York, Hershey, and throughout Pennsylvania.
Can Glaucoma Go Away?
Glaucoma is a disease that causes your vision to deteriorate over time. Unfortunately, it does not go away naturally on its own. Instead, what we can do is control it so that it does not worsen even more while maximizing your remaining vision. Our goal is to give you the tools to help you do what you enjoy doing every day, even with glaucoma.
Can You Go Blind From Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the primary cause of blindness in North America and the second leading cause globally. By the time signs of the disease are noticeable, severe damage has already happened. The sooner treatment begins, the sooner we can prevent further vision loss. If left untreated, this vision loss can progress to the point of total blindness and once that happens, it cannot be restored.
So don’t suffer needlessly – let us help you or your loved ones now. Our eye doctor can recommend a number of low vision aids and glasses to enhance your remaining vision. Electronic and handheld magnifiers can enlarge words and pictures in a book or magazine so you can see them in clear, sharp detail. Computer devices can make using the internet easier so you can pay your bills online or video chat with your grandchildren.
Contact the Low Vision Optometry of Central Pennsylvania for a consultation and we will do everything we can to improve your quality of life.