Unclouding Questions About Glaucoma

Feb. 4, 2002
By Leeds Katzen, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that affects an estimated 3 million Americans- half of whom do not know they have the disease. It is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States and the most commom among African-Americans. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eye progressively increases, leading to optic nerve damage and reduced peripheral vision. As the disease worsens, the field of vision gradually narrows and blindness may result. The most commom type of glaucoma usually has no symptoms until significant permanent visual damage has occurred.

Although glaucoma cannot be cured, early detection and treatment can usually preserve vision. So it is imperative to know your risks and have eye exams at the intervals recommended by your eye doctor.

Those at risk for glaucoma include:

• People with a family history of glaucoma
• People who have diabetes
• Long-term steroid users
• Those who are significantly nearsighted

Glaucoma is particularly difficult to detect because there are no symptoms, vision remains normal at first and there is no pain. Existing tests for glaucoma inlcude perimetry or visual field testing which measures the vision already lost. The test that most people are familiar with measures ocular pressure, although this test can be ineffective as ocular pressure is only one symptom of the disease. Currently, half of the diagnosed glaucoma patients are found to have normal intraocular pressure, but still have the disease.

However, there is a new state-of-the-art device that was acquired by Katzen Eye Group that can non-invasively detect glaucoma in the early stages and prevent possible sight-loss. The device, called a GDx, detects glaucoma before any vision loss occurs. The GDx administers the LCT (Laser Coherence Tomography) test that allows your doctor to measure the thickness of the nerve fiber at the back of the eye. If the nerve fiber is compromised, this could indicate that you have glaucoma.

Because glaucoma is a lifelong condition, you and your eye doctor must work together to agree on a treatment plan you can live with and provide the best chance of preserving your vision. Common treatments inlcude oral or topical medication, laser surgery and conventional surgery. Talk to your eye doctor about your treatment options because some may be better for your situation than others.