What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is known as the "silent thief" of vision. This category of ocular disorders is caused by high intraocular pressure that leads to optic nerve damage due to built-up fluid. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to vision loss and even total blindness. While there are generally no symptoms or signs of glaucoma in its early stages, the damage it can cause is irreversible. Heart of America Eye Care offers glaucoma diagnosis and treatments to help manage this condition. Contact one of our locations in Belton, MO or Shawnee Mission or Overland Park, KS to learn more about glaucoma.
How is glaucoma diagnosed and treated?
Glaucoma is often diagnosed during a routine eye exam. Some of the tests we may perform to diagnose glaucoma include measuring the pressure of your eye, measuring the thickness of your cornea, and determining the degree of the angle between the cornea and the iris. We may diagnose you with one of two forms of glaucoma:
- Open-angle glaucoma: Occurs due to an issue with fluid retention in the trabecular meshwork
- Closed-angle (or narrow-angle) glaucoma: Occurs because the area between your iris and cornea is either too small or obstructed
While glaucoma cannot be reversed, we can prescribe medications or perform surgical procedures to prevent damage from occurring in the future. In its early stages, medications and eye drops may be able to control the condition and prevent nerve damage. In its more advanced or complex stages, however, we may need to consider a surgical option to slow the condition's progression.
Glaucoma Diagnosis and Management
Early detection is vital when it comes to treating and managing glaucoma. At Heart of America Eye Care, our eye doctors can perform various tests to diagnose glaucoma and offer state-of-the-art treatment options to minimize optic nerve damage or vision loss. For more information or to schedule an eye exam, contact a location near you in Shawnee Mission or Overland Park, KS, or Belton, MO.
