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Glaucoma is a sight-threatening eye condition impacting the optic nerve. The tricky part about glaucoma is that glaucoma symptoms are subtle or rare when the condition is first developing, making it hard to detect without the help of a professional glaucoma specialist. For many individuals, glaucoma is considered the “thief of sight” because by the time the patient has detected changes in their vision it may be too late. With early intervention, glaucoma can be treated and it’s impact on vision diminished. However, you’ll need to know more about glaucoma and recognize the importance of regular eye exams to really stop it in its tracks.
What Is A Glaucoma Specialist?
The eye care profession is full of different specialists that diagnose diseases and treat specific elements of the eye. One of those is a glaucoma specialist. A glaucoma specialist is an ophthalmologist that has specialized in the treatment of glaucoma by completing additional fellowships or training following medical school and residency. As an ophthalmologist, a glaucoma specialist can perform eye surgery, diagnose and treat conditions of the eye, and prescribe eye glasses and contact lenses, along with other medications. To become a glaucoma specialist, an ophthalmologist will complete a fellowship program as part of their medical training, resulting in even more years of training than traditional eye doctors.
Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve. When the vitreous fluid in the eye does not circulate or drain properly, due to different circumstances, it causes pressure to build in the eye. The resulting pressure can damage the optic nerve, leading to blindness. A glaucoma specialist will use surgery, lasers, and medication to manage glaucoma in patients, so the specialist is experienced in all areas of eye care. When a glaucoma specialist is not treating glaucoma it is possible that they may see patients in an ophthalmologic capacity, performing examinations and surgeries and fitting glasses.
Risk Factors of Glaucoma
The good news about glaucoma is that early treatment can prevent the destruction of the optic nerve. It’s important to know the common symptoms and risk factors of glaucoma so patients can engage a qualified professional to catch problems early and reduce the chances of complications. Since glaucoma usually does not present any noticeable symptoms, it’s important to visit a glaucoma specialist if you have any of the risk factors for glaucoma, which include:
- Being over the age of 40
- Have had high eye pressure in the past
- Have sustained an eye injury
- Having thin corneas
- Having diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, or poor circulation
- Having family members with glaucoma
In general, because these risk factors are very general and may be related to other conditions of the eye, you should schedule regular eye examinations with a qualified eye doctor. During an eye exam your doctor will ask for a full medical history to help pinpoint risk factors before performing numerous tests on your eye to check for vision acuity, the health of the components of your eye, and more.
How a Specialist Protects Your Vision
Your eyes are delicate organs and require the right attention in order to deliver consistent sight and remain healthy throughout your life. A specialist is your best resource against disease and eye injuries because of their expertise and experience. If your primary eye doctor refers you to a specialist, the glaucoma specialist will most likely perform comprehensive testing, which may include a visual field test, optical coherence tomography (OCT) test which uses infrared light to create a detailed image of your retina and optic nerve, and a tonometry eye exam to measure the pressure in your eye. The combination of these tests will provide your glaucoma specialist with the information they need to identify the signs of glaucoma or other problems.
Initially, your glaucoma specialist will be observing a few things within your eye, including intraocular pressure to ensure that it is not increasing, monitoring the optic nerve to ensure correct functioning as glaucoma directly impacts this important part of the eye, testing your visual field since glaucoma impacts the peripheral vision, and looking at corneal thickness because those with thin corneas are at increased risk for developing glaucoma.
A specialist is also able to build a tailored treatment plan for you based on the results of your tests. If you are experiencing eye pressure, they may prescribe eye drops or other medications and schedule follow-up appointments to ensure the issue is resolved. Either way, you can catch glaucoma early and treat it with help from a glaucoma specialist.
Glaucoma Treatment Options Offered by Glaucoma Specialists
When it comes to glaucoma treatment, it is important to understand the cause of the condition as this will determine the most effective approach. Your glaucoma specialist may try one or more of the following treatments:
- Glaucoma eye drops and glaucoma medications – Most providers will prescribe glaucoma eye drops or pills to reduce the pressure in the eye. The drops work by reducing the amount of fluid in the eye or by improving the flow of fluid to the drainage angle. Some glaucoma medications include:
- Alpha agonists – These types of eye drops reduce the pressure in the eye and improve drainage.
- Beta-blockers – On the other hand, beta-blockers reduce the amount of fluid the eye produces which can reduce pressure.
- Miotics – This medication improves drainage and the amount of fluid leaving the eye by making the pupil constrict.
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors – Inhibitors for the eye reduce the amount of fluid in the eye and are available as an eye drop or a pill.
- Laser treatments – Glaucoma specialists will use one of two lasers, an iridotomy laser or a trabeculoplasty, to open the drainage angle in conjunction with eye drops or to create holes in the iris through which the fluid can drain. The type of glaucoma laser surgery you are prescribed will depend on which type of glaucoma you have.
- Surgery – If necessary, your glaucoma specialist will place tube shunts into your eye to allow the fluid to drain more consistently. Interestingly enough, cataract surgery can help some patients by reducing the pressure in the eye once the natural lens has been removed.
If you have any of the risk factors for glaucoma listed above, do not hesitate to make an appointment to see a glaucoma specialist at OCLI Vision. Call our office today or schedule an appointment online for prompt, compassionate care.
