One of the things you likely remember from your likely eye exam is a quick puff of air in your eye. Your eye doctor told you it’s a Glaucoma test. So that got you to wonder… What is glaucoma, anyway?

What is Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes fluid to build up in your eye and damage the optic nerves. Glaucoma can cause vision loss and blindness if left untreated. The puff of air in your eye helps your doctor measure the pressure in your eye to see if you have glaucoma.

Your Optometrist will likely classify your condition as one of its many types. The two major types are primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.

  • Primary open-angle glaucoma is painless. It does not disrupt your vision in the early stages. It happens gradually, showing symptoms only when the eye can no longer drain fluid properly. The condition builds up eye pressure and damages the optic nerve.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when your iris is extremely close to your eye’s drainage angle. The iris could block the drainage angle and cause eye pressure to build up.

The other types of glaucoma are pigmentary glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and congenital glaucoma.

  • Pigmentary glaucoma is a rare condition wherein iris pigment clogs your eye’s drainage angle, causing inflammation and further damage to the drainage system.
  • Secondary glaucoma may develop after an eye infection, inflammation, a tumor, or damages caused by cataract.
  • As for congenital glaucoma, it’s an inherited condition that’s present since birth.

What is Glaucoma Going To Do To Me?

Other than, “What is glaucoma?,” you may also want to know, what are the symptoms of this eye disease? Is there any way to know that you have it? And what will it do to you?

Glaucoma is the silent thief of sight. It progresses painlessly and undetected, as opposed to most eye conditions that show obvious symptoms. You might not even know that extra fluid in your eye has caused irreversible damage of your optic nerve until the gradual yet noticeable vision loss occurs.

The condition is not entirely undetectable, though. For instance, angle-closure glaucoma may lead to blurry vision, intense eye pain, and nausea. It may also cause you to see auras or halos around bright lights. And open-hand glaucoma causes blind spots in your peripheral vision as the condition worsens.

The key to treating Glaucoma is to first diagnose it. Your annual eye exam includes a glaucoma test. And at Dr. Barry Leonard’s office, we now offer a “No-Puff Glaucoma Test.”

Who Gets Glaucoma?

People over the age of 60 are more likely to suffer from glaucoma, except in the case of congenital glaucoma. The condition may affect children and young adults as well.

A family history of glaucoma also makes you more prone to the condition. Previous eye trauma, poor vision, and diabetes further contribute to glaucoma risk.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation reveals that people of African-American or Asian descent are more likely to suffer from glaucoma.

Personalized Glaucoma Care in Panorama City

Glaucoma Treatment may come in the form of medication and supplements, laser trabeculoplasty, and conventional surgery. But your first step is to get tested for glaucoma to see if you are affected.

If you have glaucoma and are looking for treatment or a new Optometrist that specializes in glaucoma care, come visit Dr. Barry Leonard’s office. And if you don’t know if you have glaucoma, it’s best to get an eye exam to be sure.

Come see Dr. Barry Leonard for quality glaucoma care. His office has provided comprehensive eye care since 1957. If you recognize the symptoms of Glaucoma in yourself or suspect that you have it, stop by his Panorama City office today.

What is glaucoma’s secret weapon? It’s that most people don’t know that they have it. Make an appointment to be tested today. It’s easy. Simply call the office at 818-891-6711 or make an appointment online. Dr. Leonard will help you see better than you’ve ever seen before.