Glaucoma

Glaucoma laser treatment is used when there is a history of worsening glaucoma because topical solutions have not worked. Medicated eye drops are used to reduce eye pressure, but when the results are not sufficient laser treatment is the alternative.

The best treatment for glaucoma typically includes prescription eye drops that lower intraocular pressure, such as prostaglandin analogs or beta-blockers. In some cases, oral medications or surgical options may be recommended. It's important for individuals with glaucoma to work closely with their eye care professionals to determine the most effective treatment plan tailored to their specific condition. Regular monitoring and adherence to the prescribed regimen are crucial for managing the disease effectively.

If by the word "effects" you mean symptoms, then as an eye doctor, I can tell you that the vast majority of patients with glaucoma have no symptoms at all. They would never know they had glaucoma without having their Optometrist or Ophthalmologist tell them! Primary open angle glaucoma is fairly common and the best definition I can give you is this: glaucoma is a chronic, insidious,and progressive optic nerve degeneration which is usually caused by abnormally high intraocular pressure (usually over 20); this progressive damage to the optic nerve very slowly causes thinning of the nerve fiber layer, increased cupping or atrophy of the nerve head, eventually loss of peripheral vision or blind spots, and it can cause complete blindness if not treated. With the advent of scanning laser technology, digital photography of the optic nerve, and sequential scanning optic nerve topography (HRT)in the last 10 years, eye doctors have become much better at diagnosing glaucoma. As time passes and we get a better handle on what glaucoma is and what it does, we are finging that there are many people out there who really do have glaucoma even though their eye pressures are normal. On the other side, there are many people who have documented high eye pressures who never go on to develop classic glaucomatous optic nerve atrophy. So, with that said, it is crazy to treat every patient for glaucoma who has high pressures and it is crazy to just assume that everyone with normal eye pressures does not have glaucoma. It takes knowledge, experience, skill, good equipment, good vision, and even a little luck to be an eye doctor and properly handle those patients diagnosed as "glaucoma suspects". Closed angle glaucoma (or angle closure glaucoma) is very rare and definitely has some symptoms - often severe symptoms. If the fluid-filled chamber between the cornea becomes very narrow and actually closes down so the fluid cannot drain out, then the eye pressure goes up extremely high (usually over 50). The acutely high pressure causes corneal swelling, very hazy vision, halos around lights, very red eye, very painful eye, very hard eye. It is not unusual for the eye pain to be so severe that you then have nausea and vomitting. This kind of glaucoma can result in a blind eye within a few days if not treated properly whereas open angle glaucoma takes many years (untreated) to result in a blind eye. Important note: only an eye doctor can diagnose and treat open angle and closed angle glaucoma. Your family doctor cannot. The emergency room doctor or PA cannot. Only Optometrists and Ophthalmologists have the training and equipment to measure your eye pressures and look at your optic nerves to diagnose glaucoma. Both open angle glaucoma and closed angle glaucoma are more common in elderly patients. In fact, all types of glaucoma are quite rare in patients under age 40. Yes, there are at least 7 different types or sub-types of glaucoma. Treatments for glaucoma in the year 2007 are very good!! There are lots of different medicines, delivered as eyedrops, to treat glaucoma and most are very effective. I have been in practice now for 16 years and I have had only 3 patients who went completely blind from glaucoma and that was because they came to me already blind and asked, "hey doc, I can't see, what do I do?" They had a type of glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma either as a complication of their poorly controlled diabetes or lack of blood flow through the carotid artery and ophthalmic artery. Very sad!! It could have been treated if they had just come to me 3 or 4 years earlier. Moral of the story: "don't be stupid and take your eyes and vision for granted; get a yearly eye exam even if you think you see fine."

I-Caps, which are multivitamins designed for eye health, may provide some benefits for glaucoma patients by supporting overall eye health with essential nutrients. However, they should not replace prescribed glaucoma treatments or medications. It's important for glaucoma patients to consult with their eye care provider before adding any supplements to their regimen, as individual needs may vary.

The average cost for glaucoma testing without insurance typically ranges from $100 to $300, depending on the specific tests performed and the location of the eye care provider. Comprehensive evaluations may include a variety of tests, such as tonometry, visual field tests, and optic nerve imaging, which can increase the overall cost. It's advisable for patients to contact local eye care clinics for precise pricing information.