Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma

Your Home Companion interviewed Easton Eye Care's Dr Alex Carpenter to learn the whats and whys of Glaucoma. We were so excited when Dr. Alex Carpenter from Easton Eye Care agreed to do a series of interviews with us. We have conducted three interviews with Dr. Carpenter. This is our third and unfortunately our last interview with him.

Dr. Carpenter's first interview was on Age Related Macular Degeneration and his second interview was on What are Cataracts?

Dr. Carpenter is one of the optometrists on staff at Easton Eye Care with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland at College Park and a Doctorate at Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Easton Eye Care offers full eyewear and optical services and has been serving the Eastern Shore area for over 35 years.

YHC: What is Glaucoma?

Easton Eye Care: Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive, optic neuropathy. More simply, it is the slow death of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for carrying the visual signal from the eye to the brain for interpretation. As this nerve begins to atrophy, or die, the patient begins to lose vision. Vision loss proceeds from far peripheral vision towards crucial, central vision slowly but steadily. Peripheral vision is very easily ignored, so more often than not vision loss has occurred without the patient having any idea.

YHC: What are the warning signs?

Easton Eye Care: It is extremely important to understand that glaucoma can only be detected during an eye examination unless it is “end-stage”. Vision loss must be dramatic and extensive for a patient to notice it and then seek care. During an examination, many signs and risk factors are identified. The most important factors include the pressure inside of the eyes, a family history of glaucoma, and the appearance of the optic nerve.

YHC: How is Glaucoma detected?

Easton Eye Care: Glaucoma is detected during a thorough eye examination. A detailed medical history will be taken to assess risk factors. Measurement of eye pressure, dilation and examination of the optic nerve all assist in diagnosis. As the optic nerve atrophies, its appearance changes. Additional testing for glaucoma suspects includes special scans of the retinal nerve fibers as well as a visual field, which maps out peripheral vision. Glaucoma shows characteristic patterns of visual field loss.Your Home Companion's Interview with Easton Eye Care. The topic Age Related Macular Degeneration aka ARMD.

YHC: Who is at risk for Glaucoma?

Easton Eye Care: Risk factors include increased age, family history of glaucoma, Black racial ancestry, history of trauma to the eye, long-term steroid use, and systemic vascular disorders including diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Increased pressure inside of the eye is a major risk factor, but requires measurement by an eye doctor to assess. Increased eye pressure is very rarely felt by the patient.

YHC: If am a possible Glaucoma Suspect, can the Glaucoma be prevented?

Easton Eye Care: Glaucoma is very treatable and vision loss can be halted or prevented entirely with early diagnosis and appropriate care. Currently, the goal of treatment is lowering eye pressure. By decreasing this pressure we are able to slow or stop optic nerve death.

YHC: What are the treatment options for Glaucoma?

Easton Eye Care: The first line of treatment for those with glaucoma is an eye-drop that lowers the eye pressure. They are typically taken once to three times per day, usually for the rest of one’s life. If this is not feasible or is not working well enough, there are several surgical procedures that also lower the eye pressure. These are quick, low-risk, laser procedures that lower the pressure. Sometimes they must be repeated every few years.

YHC: Is there a cure for Glaucoma?

Easton Eye Care: There is no cure. With early diagnosis and timely treatment however, we can ensure that this disease impacts vision and quality-of-life minimally or not at all.