Oral medications can be
costly and patients often
forget to consistently take
their medications
Glaucoma Treatment in Chicago
Dr. Stuart Sondheimer
Glaucoma in Chicago is a common eye condition that can permanently destroy
vision. Typically, people with glaucoma do not know it unless
it is detected upon routine eye examination. Often, vision
is permanently lost before a diagnosis is made.
Risk Factors
If you are African-American, your chances of developing
glaucoma are greater.
If you have a family history of glaucoma, your risk factor
increases.
If you
have diabetes, or taking steroids, the chances for glaucoma increase.
If you have suffered an eye injury, you are at greater
risk of developing glaucoma.
Symptoms and Prognosis
Glaucoma has been called the "sneak
thief of sight" because in
the most typical form, there are no symptoms. In chronic glaucoma, there
is no pain, no swelling, or no redness. Simply, glaucoma
destroys vision by putting pressure on the optic nerve. The
optic nerve is the path which sends light signals to the
brain where these signals are then changed into what we know
as "sight."
Left unchecked to progress,
the optic nerve is damaged by the high pressure in the
eye, and central vision eventually is lost. If left untreated,
glaucoma can result in blindness.
Typically, glaucoma management includes eye drops
that must be administered daily--sometimes two to three times a day. Glaucoma
medications can be expensive and often patients either forget to use the
drops, have difficulty tolerating the medication or decide
not to use the medication resulting in loss of vision. Surgical
procedures have been considered as a last resort to control
pressure inside of the eye.
Now there are two distinct alternatives which have shown
to produce amazing results! Studies show that between 80% to 90% of glaucoma
patients are either able to eliminate or significantly reduce their medications
after undergoing laser therapy.
Dr. Sondheimer says, "I have seen excellent response from
my patients who chose to undergo laser treatment for glaucoma. Many are relieved
of the expense of medications, others were tired of trying to remember to administer
eye drops several times a day, but above all, control of the disease is excellent,
and these glaucoma patients are being managed very effectively with laser treatment."
Selective
LaserTrabeculoplasty (SLT) uses laser technology to increase fluid drainage
and reduce pressure inside of the eye. The procedure is quick, essentially
painless, does not damage tissue and is generally very safe.. SLT has been
show to be highly effective in the management of glaucoma.
Glaucoma treatment is only one specialty of Dr. Sondheimer. He also provides exemplary patient care for those seeking treatment for cataracts and LASIK in Chicago.
