Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve at the back of your eye. This eye disease can lead to vision loss and permanent blindness. Damage to the optic nerve results from increased pressure in the fluids of your eye. There are two types of glaucoma:

• Primary glaucoma: Develops when fluids inside your eye can’t drain fast enough. This leads to an increase in your eye pressure that can push against the optic nerve and other structures of your eye.

• Secondary glaucoma: Develops from other medical conditions, like high blood pressure or diabetes. Your risk for glaucoma increases as you age or if you have a family history of glaucoma. You may also be at a higher risk for glaucoma if you have diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, and other chronic health conditions.

Because glaucoma develops gradually over several years, you may not have any noticeable symptoms until the disease progresses. For this reason, you need to schedule preventive screenings to test for glaucoma. Mayo Family Eye Care LLC uses advanced diagnostics, including:

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A painless imaging test that captures cross-sectional pictures of your optic nerve, allowing the team to detect early signs of glaucoma.

• Visual Field Testing: This assesses your peripheral vision to identify any abnormalities or loss, which can be indicative of glaucoma.

If these procedures confirm your eye pressure is elevated or you have risk factors for glaucoma, the team provides customized glaucoma treatment and management services.

There is no cure for glaucoma, but with ongoing care, you can protect your long-term eye health and vision. The Mayo Family Eye Care LLC team provides several treatment strategies to manage glaucoma, including:

• Medications: Medicated eye drops lower the pressure in your eye to prevent optic nerve damage.

• Laser Treatments: Procedures to improve the drainage system in your eye, promoting more efficient fluid drainage. We will facilitate a referral to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation and specialized care.

• Surgery: When medications and laser therapy aren’t working well, you may need surgery to enhance fluid drainage. The team can determine which treatment is right for your condition. They continue to monitor your visual acuity and optic nerve health through follow-up exams or send a referral to an ophthalmologist.