Glaucoma

Glaucoma can pose a serious threat to a person’s vision, which is why routine quality eye care is necessary. When it comes to addressing concerns like glaucoma, our optometry team at EYECARE for You is well equipped to diagnose and treat accordingly. We have top of the line diagnostic equipment to help us catch the earliest signs of glaucoma and other eye diseases.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is located in the back of the eye and transmits important visual information to the brain. Often times, glaucoma develops due to increased pressure in the eye. If this pressure becomes too high or is high for too long, the optic nerve will become damaged causing permanent vision loss. Glaucoma affects your peripheral vision first and often times a person will not notice vision loss until it is too late. This is why routine eye care is so necessary to preserve vision. 

What are the Risk Factors for Glaucoma?

Risk factors for glaucoma include high eye pressure, a family history of glaucoma, age over 55, long-term steroid use, and previous eye injury. There is also a higher incidence of glaucoma in those with diabetes and high or very low blood pressure. Glaucoma is also more prevalent in Black, Asian, and Hispanic populations.

How is Glaucoma Treated?

Testing for glaucoma includes a scan of the optic nerve and a visual field test to check your peripheral and central vision. This helps determine the presence and severity of the condition. Most of the time, first line treatment of glaucoma includes the use of eye drops daily to lower the eye pressure. Other treatment options include surgery and laser procedures. At EYECARE for You, we implement a screening test during routine eye exams that can detect the early glaucomatous changes that are not seen during a traditional evaluation. If we determine you are a glaucoma suspect, we will perform more in depth testing and determine a treatment plan to preserve your vision. 

If you have any risk factors for glaucoma, have glaucoma, or have not had a routine eye exam in a while, schedule an appointment on our website or by calling our Richboro office at (215) 485-5384 or our Newtown office at (215) 860-9001. We are happily accepting new patients.