This is part 2 of our interview with Dr. Lewis on the topic of Glaucoma.
Q: How can I tell if I have glaucoma?
Regular eye exams can detect glaucoma at an early stage. Treatment to prevent vision loss from glaucoma on those diagnosed early is usually able to prevent vision loss.
Q: How is glaucoma detected?
During an eye exam, we evaluate the intraocular pressure and we assess the health of the optic nerve. If a patient is deemed a glaucoma suspect, we will likely recommend a threshold visual field assessment to determine if there are changes in vision attributable to glaucoma. Retinal imaging to monitor for optic nerve health changes over time is also ideal.
Q: How is glaucoma treated?
Glaucoma is most commonly controlled with eyedrop medication that lowers the pressure by either reducing the amount of fluid made by the eye or by enabling better fluid outflow through the drainage angle.
Surgery for glaucoma is also sometimes recommended. In those cases, we would consult with a glaucoma specialist to determine if surgical intervention would be indicated.
Q: Can glaucoma be prevented?
While there are no known ways of preventing open-angle glaucoma, vision loss or blindness can be prevented by early detection and intervention to prevent damage to the optic nerve. Certain subsets of glaucoma such as narrow angle glaucoma is treatable through a surgical procedure called a laser iridotomy.