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.
360 S. Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL 60015
303 N. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068