Our doctors specialize in the management of glaucoma. This disease is, in part, due to a build-up of fluid pressure in the eye resulting in damage to the optic nerve and then loss of vision. Family history plays a large role in the chances of developing glaucoma as does one’s own medical health (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea) and habits (ex. smoking). In addition, different ethnic groups (e.g. African Americans, Hispanics) have a much higher incidence of glaucoma compared to others. For these reasons, yearly eye examinations (if not more frequently according to your doctor’s advice) are very important.
You are usually unaware of having this condition until serious vision loss has occurred and, unfortunately, once you have lost your vision it cannot be restored. However, the good news is that glaucoma can be detected early and with treatment (usually daily use of eye drops to lower the eye pressure) extensive vision loss can often be prevented.
Our office employs the latest glaucoma technology available. State of the art visual field devices, imaging equipment to examine the structure of the optic nerve, and advanced eye pressure measurements are used by our doctors who possess decades of experience to diagnose, monitor, and treat this condition. The ocular response analyzer is our newest piece of equipment and is designed to not only give an accurate measurement of the internal pressure of the eye, but to also measure corneal hysteresis. This measurement of the eye’s ability to absorb and react to pressure changes is one of the newest methods of predicting progression of glaucoma.
For more information on glaucoma, please feel free to contact our office or visit the following web site, www.glaucoma.org.
State of the art visual field testing with the Humphrey- Zeiss perimeter
The iVue OCT obtaining scans to aid in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.
Ocular Response Analyzer yields measurements of ocular pressure and hysteresis.
The Pascal tonometer in use to measure eye pressure.
Using our Canon Fundus Camera, we document images of a healthy optic nerve (left) and one that has advanced glaucoma (right).
… and here are images of what a normal visual field exam looks like (left) compared to that of someone with advanced glaucoma (right).
To get an idea of what happens to someone’s vision when they have worsening glaucoma, click here.