Although it is a common cause of blindness, glaucoma is preventable. If you are at risk for glaucoma, you should regularly visit an ophthalmologist for checkups to safeguard your eyesight.
What is Glaucoma?
The inside of the eye is nourished by a fluid known as the "aqueous humor." This liquid is produced inside the eye, circulates, and then goes out through a small mesh-like drain at the edge of the cornea. If this drain becomes blocked, the pressure of the fluid inside the eye can build up, and this pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve. If glaucoma is allowed to progress unhindered, this optic nerve damage can cause a loss of peripheral vision, leading to tunnel vision and eventually blindness. Vision loss from glaucoma is usually gradual, and can occur without any symptoms.
Diagnosis and Treatment
While the damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, there are many ways to prevent glaucoma from reaching an advanced stage. This is why it is important that you have regular checkups with a skilled ophthalmologist such as Dr. McCarty. Our office has state-of-the-art laser, computerized and digital equipment to optimize evaluation of the health of the eye in patients at risk for glaucoma.
Depending on how far your glaucoma has advanced, treatments may range from medicated eye drops to laser or surgical treatment to control this condition before it causes permanent loss of vision. Contact our office to find out more about glaucoma evaluation and treatment.
The macula is the center of the retina, situated at the back of your eye, and is essential to your ability to see fine details. As you age the macula can begin to deteriorate in one of two ways:
- “Wet” macular degeneration: In this form, abnormal new blood vessels grow in the macula and cause swelling, hemorrhage, or scarring in the retina. This type can produce a rapid and significant loss of central visual acuity.
- “Dry” macular degeneration: This condition results from a build-up of by-products from retinal function, like “age spots”, which produce atrophy of the macula. It can gradually cause your vision to blur and produce blind spots or distortion.
The good news is, treatments for macular degeneration are now available. These are most effective when the disease is caught at an early stage. Dr. McCarty performs comprehensive evaluation for macular degeneration.
People who have diabetes are at greater risk for a number of eye disorders, including cataracts and glaucoma. Nearly half of all diabetics also have some degree of diabetic retinopathy. This disease is characterized by damage to the blood vessels that nourish the retina at the back of your eye. It can cause your vision to worsen significantly, and, if left unchecked, may cause blindness.
If you are diabetic, regular checkups and screenings can help prevent diabetic retinopathy from seriously impacting your vision. Contact our office to find out more about diabetic retinopathy, and how it can be treated and prevented.