Glaucoma is a tricky eye disease in that people do not experience any pain, they generally do not have any changes in their vision, their eyes do not get red, and they essentially feel or notice nothing different than normal. This is why it can be difficult to understand why you may be at risk for Glaucoma or may have it and not know it. This is why it is very important to have regular comprehensive eye examinations in which the intraocular pressure is measured and your optic nerves are viewed.
Glaucoma is also not a simple diagnosis. It is not as simple as say cataracts where either you have them or you do not. There are different factors that need to be looked at and your risk level needs to be calculated. The different factors include intra-ocular pressure, optic nerve size, central corneal thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, age, race, family history, and other systemic health conditions like Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease or Sleep Apnea.
There are different diagnostic tests that can be done if you are suspected of having Glaucoma which include an extensive measurement of your peripheral vision (Perimetry), viewing of the “angle” of your eye (Gonioscopy), measuring the central corneal thickness (Pachymetry), and measuring the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer. With all this information your eye doctor will be able to diagnose if you are simply suspicious for Glaucoma or if you do in fact have Glaucoma and at what level it currently is.
Glaucoma is treated first with eye drops that lower the intra-ocular pressure to reduce the damage to your optic nerves. There are different classes of eye drops with different ways in which they lower the intra-ocular pressure and also surgical options that can also lower the pressure. Call (860) 233-2020 to schedule your comprehensive eye examination today so that you can be checked for the “sneaky thief of sight.”
