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April 2014 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
Glaucoma
By Jean Jeffers, Staff Writer
There are those who say ‘to see is
to believe.’ Sometimes though, it is
what can’t be seen that matters, as
in the eye condition known as glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a sight-threatening
condition of the eyes, where there is
damage to the optic nerve.
Fluid, known as aqueous humor,
normally flows into, through and out
of the eye unimpeded. When the flow
is obstructed, such as in open-angle
glaucoma where there is a build-up
of fluid at the drainage angle, the
eye pressure (known as intraocular
pressure) goes up. The fluid presses
against the optic nerve, causing damage to that nerve. This is glaucoma.
When damage occurs, ‘blind spots’
develop in the tissue surrounding the
optic nerve. These blind spots slowly
expand over time, eventually causing
difficulty with vision.
There are several types of glaucoma but the primary type is openangle glaucoma.
Dr. Ramesh Kode, MD and
Ophthalmologist at Cincinnati Eye
Institute in Cincinnati Ohio says:
“Glaucoma comes about from too
high intraocular pressure. The ideal
or normal pressure in the eye is 15
(millimeters of mercury of mmHg)
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or less. Keeping the glaucoma
patient’s eye pressure at 17 or below
is optimal.” When Dr. Kode works
with a patient with glaucoma, he
attempts to lower the pressure and
prevent damage, usually by means of
drops in the eyes, and later if necessary, by surgery.
The need for treatment, says Dr.
Kode, is based upon four factors:
1. Measurement to determine an
elevated pressure within the eyes
2. Inspection of the drainage angle
3. Testing the peripheral vision of
each eye by use of a visual field test
4. Assessment of the integrity of
the optic disc
Because the disease does not
cause identifiable symptoms in its
early stages, half of the three million Americans with glaucoma don’t
know they are suffering with it.
A diagnosis of glaucoma is made
by a complete eye exam. Individuals
who have risk factors should go for
this eye exam; this includes those
with diabetes, those of African
descent, or those with a family history of glaucoma. Persons over 40
who have risk factors such as diabetes
or a family history should be seen
every year.
Glaucoma is more common as we
get older, says Dr. Kode. Seniors, 65
years of age and older should have
a complete eye exam every one to
two years. Glaucoma tends to be
inherited but may not show up until
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later in life. If untreated it will lead to
difficulty in sight and will eventually
cause blindness.
Once the diagnosis is made and
treatment is instituted, the patient
generally comes back for rechecking
every three to six mont