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Frequently Asked Questions about
Glaucoma
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when the pressure inside the eye is high enough to pinch off the
circulation of the optic nerve in the back of your eye. The optic nerve is like
a telephone cable. When the cable is damaged you start to lose the connections
between the eye and brain. This leads to gradual blindness if not treated
properly.
What pressure is too high?
The average pressure for most people is 10-21. In classic glaucoma the optic
nerve becomes damaged when the pressure gets above 21. This is called Primary
Open Angle Glaucoma.
My eye pressures are “normal." Can I have glaucoma?
Unfortunately, yes. Many people with a susceptibility to glaucoma do have optic
nerve damage with much lower pressures. This is called Low Tension or Low
Pressure Glaucoma.
I have a family history of glaucoma, is that important?
Yes, a family history of glaucoma increases your risk of developing glaucoma by
two to ten times depending on the closeness of the relationship. If you have
glaucoma, all of your blood relatives need to be informed and they need regular
eye exams to watch for it. Age is also a risk factor. After age 40 the risk
starts to rise each year.
Wouldn’t I have headaches or blurred vision if I had glaucoma?
No! Glaucoma is called the hidden eye disease because it starts by affecting
your side vision in very subtle ways that you cannot detect. By the time it is
bad enough that you know you have a problem, it is usually too late to save good
vision.
How does the doctor diagnose glaucoma if the pressures are normal?
The first clue is usually damage to the optic nerve that Dr. Khalil sees when he
looks into the fundus (the back of the eye). If there is suspicion, further
investigations, including visual field examination are carried out.
Once Dr. Khalil diagnosis glaucoma, how does he treat it?
Treatment of glaucoma requires lowering the internal eye pressure to allow
better circulation in the optic nerve, which preserves it’s health. This is
usually done with eye drop medication taken one or two times per day.
Will the drops cure the glaucoma?
No. Glaucoma is like high blood pressure in that medication does not cure the
disease, but it does treat it, preventing further damage. Fortunately we have
many good medications available now that are very effective and have few side
effects. . New and exciting medications are also under development now.
Is there surgery for glaucoma?
Yes, but it is a difficult surgery that is usually not done unless medications
fail. There is also a laser procedure, which is beneficial. Dr. Filips will
advise you if you should have this done.
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