Glaucoma Specialists

Glaucoma VS. Cataracts

Glaucoma and cataracts are both eye conditions that affect older individuals. Glaucoma typically affects individuals who are over the age of 60. Although African Americans can develop the disease after the age of forty. Cataracts typically affect people who are over the age of 60, but they can start developing in individuals who are over the age of 40. If you’re not sure if you have glaucoma or cataracts, our glaucoma specialists can examine your eyes to determine if you have an eye health problem.

Cataracts

Cataracts are cloudy spots that develop on the lens of the eye. This can result in blurry or hazy vision, and it can result in a dimming of colors. The only treatment to correct this condition is cataract surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when the pressure in the eye is elevated. This puts pressure on the optic nerve and can result in blindness if it is left untreated. Symptoms of glaucoma include excruciating eye pain, nausea, blurry vision and red eye. It’s recommended that if you are having intense eye pain, you should go to your local emergency room.

Types of Glaucoma

There are two types of glaucoma, including open-angle glaucoma and angular-closure glaucoma. These types of glaucoma get their name from the narrow angle in the eye, which is the area where the aqueous humor drains. If you’re worried about glaucoma, getting regular dilated eye exams is the best course of action. It’s important to note that there are no direct causes of glaucoma other than an increase in eye pressure. However, if you have a family history of glaucoma, you are at an increased risk of developing the condition.

• Open-Angle Glaucoma– Open-Angle Glaucoma occurs more frequently than angular-closure glaucoma and is characterized by the fluid in the eye not draining properly. As the fluid drainage slows, the pressure builds up in the eye and damages the optic nerve. Symptoms of this type of glaucoma include blind spots or patchiness in your vision and loss of peripheral vision.
• Angular-Closure Glaucoma– Angular-Closure Glaucoma is less common but more serious. This type of glaucoma occurs when the iris blocks the flow of drainage from the angle. This typically occurs in individuals where their iris and cornea are so close together that the angle gets blocked. The symptoms of this type of glaucoma include extreme eye pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision and eye redness. Individuals should seek immediate medical treatment if these symptoms suddenly appear.

Glaucoma Treatment Solutions

The good news is that there are several treatment options for individuals with glaucoma that can help preserve vision.

Medicine

The first choice in treating glaucoma is often the use of medicines. These are usually eye drops that you place in your eyes a certain number of times each day. These medicines work by either lowering the amount of fluid your eyes produce or by helping your eye drain fluid. Our glaucoma doctors at Marietta Eye Clinic in Georgia can explain the medicines to you and how they work.

Laser Treatment

If the medicines don’t lower your eye pressure enough, our eye doctor may recommend laser treatment. The laser treatment helps improve the drainage from your narrow angle. After the surgery, you may experience eye irritation and redness, but that usually dissipates after a day. Since your vision may be blurry, it’s a good idea to bring someone with you who can drive you home.

Eye Surgery

Eye surgery is usually a treatment of last resort after all other treatments have been tried. Types of glaucoma surgery include trabeculectomy and glaucoma implant surgery.

Trabeculectomy

Trabeculectomy eye surgery involves creating a new very tiny opening in the top of your eye. It’s important to note that this opening isn’t noticeable as it’s usually located under your upper eyelid. This surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, like at our Marietta Eye Surgery Center, and you can expect it to take about an hour. After the surgery, you should have someone drive you home.

Glaucoma Implant Surgery

Glaucoma implant surgery involves placing a small tube inside the white part of your eye. This is often referred to as a shunt, and it helps drain the fluid in your eye.

If you have glaucoma, there are treatments available that can help lower the pressure in your eye and preserve the health of your optic nerve. Doctors at our Marietta Eye Clinic glaucoma center can explain all your options to you and recommend the best choice for your symptoms. Schedule an appointment here.