Glaucoma is one of the most frightening eye conditions out there. It can steal your eyesight without your knowledge, until it’s too late. 
Once eyesight is gone from glaucoma, it is gone forever. Glaucoma also acts so slowly that eyesight lost is usually imperceptible. 


 While glaucoma is not reversible, its progress can be slowed or even stopped. The only way to do this is by having glaucoma diagnosed early. 
This is a prime example why regular eye appointments are so important. Set one up today at Chesen Laser Eye Center in West Reading, PA! Keep reading to learn what your options are if you have glaucoma!

How Glaucoma Works

Glaucoma erases vision by damaging the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the cable that connects your eye to your brain. 
When intraocular pressure increases, it presses on the optic nerve. The optic nerve, being a sensitive mass of tissue, is very fragile. But not everyone’s optic nerve is the same. 
Some people can experience high eye pressure without having glaucoma. Others can get glaucoma while having what seems like normal eye pressure.  

Kinds of Glaucoma 

There are several different kinds of glaucoma:

  • Primary open angle glaucoma is the most typical form of glaucoma. In this kind of glaucoma, the drainage canals of the eye become blocked which causes a slow build up of fluid. This accumulation is so slow that symptoms are not noticed until the damage is done. This type of glaucoma is usually genetic in nature.
  • Angle closure glaucoma works faster. It is more dangerous than primary open angle glaucoma. The build up of interior eye fluid spikes due to the canals becoming completely blocked off. Unlike primary open angle glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma has symptoms like nausea, headache, and pain.
  • Normal tension glaucoma occurs even when eye pressure is not above normal levels.

Treating Glaucoma 

To halt the progress of glaucoma, it is necessary to lower your interior eye pressure. This is generally done with the use of medication. 
Typically the medication comes in the form of topical eye drops. If you have difficulty applying eye drops, you can also use oral medications.  There are many types of glaucoma medications and it’s up to your doctor to determine what will work best for you. 
It’s important to take glaucoma medication as directed by your eye doctor. Failure to do so could result in more vision loss. 
If your glaucoma has been diagnosed during the early stages, you’ll start with eye drops. For some patients, eye drops are enough to keep their eye pressure stable. 
Other patients may need to take eye drops and another medication, like special pills.
If medication is not enough to lower your eye pressure level, then laser eye surgery may be necessary. 
This is usually saved as a last resort, but a trabeculoplasty can be undergone quickly and efficiently.
Don’t be afraid of glaucoma, be proactive. Schedule an eye appointment today with Chesen Laser Eye Center and ask to be tested for glaucoma!