How to treat Glaucoma

Glaucoma Chicago, IL Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that damages the eye’s optic nerve. It can be inherited but usually doesn’t reveal itself until later in life. If left untreated, glaucoma can result in permanent vision loss. Most people never exhibit the early signs of glaucoma nor experience any pain. For this reason, regular eye exams are essential to catching the disease and starting treatment.

If you have a history of glaucoma and or over 40 years old, you need to get a full eye examination every 1-2 years. You are more likely to get glaucoma if you have diabetes, have bad vision, take specific steroid medications, and are of Irish, Russian, African-American, Japanese, Hispanic, Inuit, or Scandinavian descent. Once you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, here are the treatment options.

Glaucoma treatment options

Depending on your doctor and your specific condition, your doctor may use prescription eye drops, microsurgery, laser surgery, or other methods to treat glaucoma.

  • Eye drops: Eye drops can help decrease fluid formation in the eye or encourage its outflow. Side effects include redness, allergies, stinging, blurred vision, or irritated eyes. Make certain you share with your doctor any medications you are on or have an allergic reaction to. Certain glaucoma drugs may affect the heart and lungs.
  • Laser surgery: Laser surgery can increase the flow of fluid from the eye or can halt fluid blockage. This can be accomplished by using trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, or cyclophotocoagulation.
  • Microsurgery: Using a procedure called trabeculectomy, a new channel is created to allow drainage and relive eye pressure. Infant glaucoma is typically treated with surgery. Your specific condition may be treated with a combination of eye drops, laser trabeculoplasty, and microsurgery. Doctors often begin treatment with eye drops then move on to laser or microsurgery. Some research shows that pursuing microsurgery first can work better for certain individuals in treating glaucoma.

Schedule a consultation

If you experience vision loss, redness in the eye, eye pain, narrowed vision, nausea, or see halos around lights, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sondheimer today. If you exhibit any of these symptoms related to glaucoma, call our team at Skokie, IL (847-677-2794), Deerfield, IL (847-677-2794) or Park Ridge, IL (847-696-7643).  We look forward to addressing any questions or concerns you may have.

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