Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that damages the optic nerve. This damage prevents the eye from sending signals to the brain and is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada.
Glaucoma can progress without noticeable symptoms, so regular eye exams are crucial in diagnosing it before significant damage occurs.
Glaucoma is usually associated with increased eye pressure, which leads to optic nerve damage. Glaucoma also seems to have a genetic component and run in families. There are several types of glaucoma, each with their own causes.
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form and accounts for 90% of all glaucoma cases in Canada. It progresses slowly and painlessly and can go unnoticed until vision loss is significant. It’s believed that open-angle glaucoma is caused by the inefficiency of the eye’s drainage system. If it becomes blocked, it increases the eye’s intraocular pressure (IOP) and subsequently causes optic nerve damage.
Normal-tension glaucoma is a type of open-angle glaucoma that leads to optic nerve damage without increased IOP.
Although it’s not entirely known why this happens, theories suggest that an unusually sensitive optic nerve or an additional health condition could be blamed.
Primary acute closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the eye’s drainage angle between the iris and cornea suddenly becomes blocked. This form happens suddenly and painfully and is considered a medical emergency. Vision loss can occur if treatment isn’t sought immediately.
In this form of glaucoma, the space between the iris and the drainage system is blocked but occurs more gradually than acute closed-angle glaucoma. Chronic angle-closure glaucoma can take weeks or years to develop, and there are no symptoms except for vision loss.
Secondary glaucoma results due to injury, inflammation, diabetes, medications, or ocular abnormalities. Very rarely, eye surgery can lead to this form of glaucoma.
Comprehensive eye exams are the only way to test for glaucoma effectively. We include careful testing for this serious eye disease during every exam using various diagnostic tools, including non-contact tonometry (NCT), otherwise known as the “air puff test.”
Glaucoma isn’t the only explanation for increased IOP. Therefore, a series of tests will be performed to get a detailed understanding of your ocular health before a concrete diagnosis is made. This includes additional testing of your IOP with applanation tonometry and high-definition imaging of your retina and optic disc.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma, and the disease will require lifelong management to prevent progression and vision loss.
Most methods of glaucoma treatment are designed to reduce or stabilize intraocular pressure, either through prescription eye drops or surgery. Your management plan will depend on your diagnosis, situation, type, and severity of glaucoma.
Early detection during regular comprehensive eye exams is vital for preventing glaucoma progression. Please protect yourself and your loved ones, and book an exam today.
You can find our St. George location just off Main Street, next to the Community Living Centre.
You can find our St. George location just off Main Street, next to the Community Living Centre.
Located between Grannan St and Princess St across from Trinity Royal Anglican Church.
Located between Grannan St and Princess St across from Trinity Royal Anglican Church.
I am very satisfied with the business and services of Dr. Brown and Associates. My glasses that I got were not quite right however the people at Dr. Brown’s did not hesitate to take them back and give me a new pair without any hesitation.
Dr. Brown is the most caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable optometrist there is! For many years I have trusted him, and Faye, for wonderful care at his St. George office. He has helped with many ups and downs on my vision journey (and there have been many). I would recommend Dr. Brown to anyone needing vision care.
I enjoy every aspect about being a patient here at the office of Dr. Brown and Associates. They are such a great group of people.
Everyone here is always helpful and pleasant. They take the time to discuss options and explain things. They have adjusted my glasses several times at no charge even though it was entirely my fault they got bent. When I broke my frames they were able to get me an inexpensive pair and cut down the lenses to fit. Definitely going to get a second pair here.
St. George
Saint John
