Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of legal blindness in North America. It is a progressive degenerative disorder of the optic nerve that results in loss of retinal nerve fiber layer cells over time. If allowed to progress without preventative treatment, it can result in progressive loss of peripheral vision and eventual encroachment upon central vision. Treatment of glaucoma consists of decreasing intraocular pressure. There are many different ways of controlling intraocular pressure and they include various medications, lasers, and intraocular procedures. All individuals need screening for this very common disease by an ophthalmologist. Patients who are suspicious for having glaucoma or are diagnosed with glaucoma need close treatment and follow-up in order to help prevent vision loss. Although there is good preventative treatment for glaucoma, there is currently no known way of reversing damage. For this reason, it is of great importance to detect and prevent glaucoma at its earliest possible stages.