Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it can progress unnoticed until significant vision loss occurs. Fortunately, Williamson Eye Center’s glaucoma specialists offer excellent treatment options (even alternative treatments to eye drops) right here in Baton Rouge to help manage this condition. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. It often happens when fluid, called aqueous humor, accumulates in the front of your eye.
Your eye constantly produces aqueous humor. As new fluid enters your eye, a similar amount leaves through the drainage angle to maintain a stable intraocular pressure (IOP) or eye pressure.
However, sometimes the drainage angle doesn’t work as it should, causing fluid to build up. The accumulation of fluid can increase your intraocular pressure, damaging the optic nerve. This damage is irreversible once it occurs.
Symptoms may start with peripheral vision loss, and, without treatment, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss and blindness.
Who Can Get Glaucoma?
Certain factors make patients more prone to getting eye diseases like Glaucoma. It’s important to catch it early by having annual eye exams, especially if you or a loved one has any of these risk factors:
- Are older than 40 years
- Have a family history of glaucoma
- Are nearsighted or farsighted
- Have poor vision
- Have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or sickle cell anemia
- Take certain steroid medications such as prednisone
- Take certain drugs for bladder control or seizure,s or some over-the-counter cold remedies
- Have previously had an eye injury
- Have corneas that are thinner than usual
Having regular eye exams each year is the best prevention from eye diseases like glaucoma.
Finding the Right Glaucoma Specialist
Choosing an experienced eye doctor is key to managing glaucoma effectively. Williamson Eye Center’s Optometrists and Ophthalmologists collaborate to manage glaucoma using advanced diagnostics and treatments, aiming to preserve vision and provide alternatives to eye drops for improved patient quality of life.
Treatment Options for Glaucoma
Prescription eye drops are typically the first line of treatment for glaucoma, and when used properly, they can be effective in some cases. However, patients may encounter several difficulties:
- Inconvenience of using drops multiple times a day
- Difficulty holding the bottle & putting drops in the eye
- Putting the right number of drops in each eye
- Remembering to take drops – it’s easy to forget!
- Monthly expenses to pay for refills.
- Side effects: Bloodshot eyes, redness, burning and stinging, changes in the appearance in and around the eye area
The good news? Now there are quick, painless procedures aimed to reduce or potentially eliminate the need for eye drops and they are often covered by insurance.
Alternative Glaucoma Treatment Options Beyond Eye Drops
Interventional glaucoma is the future of patient care for this disease, and the future is here now at Williamson Eye Center. Advancements in treatment options are now allowing many patients to significantly reduce and, in some cases, eliminate the need for glaucoma medication drops by treating pressure from the inside out.
Interventional glaucoma involves simple procedures using microscopic implantable devices and medications that continuously control eye pressure around the clock. Williamson Eye Center is proud to offer interventional glaucoma, providing advanced treatments that overcome the limitations of traditional eye drops while effectively protecting vision and keeping eye pressure under control.
Save Your Sight with Interventional Glaucoma Treatments
Glaucoma procedure options are quick and painless, and can delay or halt further optic nerve damage, preserve your eyesight, and improve your quality of life. Your ophthalmologist at Williamson Eye Center will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine which procedure is right for you and ensure you get the best level of care for your needs.
Looking for the best glaucoma doctors in Baton Rouge, LA? Schedule your appointment at Williamson Eye Center today!
