Would you like to decrease your dependency on glasses or contact lenses? This is now an option with the use of premium lifestyle lens implants. Individuals suffering from cataracts previously had only a monofocal lens implant option after surgery. NEW multifocal IOL technology provides multiple ranges of vision: near, intermediate and far, giving you the opportunity to reduce or even eliminate your dependency on glasses!
Did you know there is now advanced testing available for diagnosing macular degeneration? Macular Risk® is a DNA test that identifies genetic markers associated with Macular Degeneration. By analyzing these genetic markers along with smoking history, we can identify who needs more frequent eye examinations and who may benefit from eye vitamins.
NEW TECHNIQUES IN TREATING MACULAR DEGENERATION
Are you seeking clear vision without the hassles of glasses or contact lenses? There are many vision correction options available at Kaufman Eye Institute. Take our Vision Correction Self Test to learn what options are best for you!
TAKE THE VISION CORRECTION SELF TEST
The physicians and staff at the Kaufman Eye Institute take great pride in helping less fortunate countries receive the eye care that is much needed. Click here to learn about our most recent medical mission.
Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma, also known as Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG), affects approximately one percent of all Americans, making it the most common form of glaucoma in our country. It primarily occurs to those over 50 years of age. There are generally no symptoms associated with POAG. The pressure in the eye slowly rises without producing pain. This type of glaucoma often goes undetected. Most people do not realize that they are slowly losing vision until the later stages of the disease. However, by the time the vision is impaired, the damage is irreversible.
What Causes Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is actually the combination of several problems, which occur as a result of increased intraocular pressure (IOP). This increased pressure can ultimately destroy the optic nerve cells. Once a sufficient number of nerve cells are destroyed, blind spots begin to form in the field of vision. These blind spots usually develop first in the peripheral field of vision. In the later stages, the central vision is affected. Once visual loss occurs, it is irreversible because once the nerve cells are dead, nothing can restore them. The physicians at The Kaufman Eye Institute recommend yearly eye evaluations to screen for eye diseases such as glaucoma and other vision altering diseases.
Risk Factors for Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma
People at highest risk are those with any of the following:
Symptoms of Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a slow progressing eye disease. These are symptoms one may encounter as it progresses:
Treatment
There is no cure for glaucoma at this time, but the disease can be slowed or arrested by reducing the intraocular pressure. Generally the first treatment options would be medications or eye drops that lower intraocular pressure or argon laser trabeculoplasty. It is crucial to take medications as prescribed by your doctor to prevent vision threatening damage.
Surgical intervention is another option. The main goal for surgery is to create a pathway for the fluid in the eye to pass, thus lowering intraocular pressure. Click here to learn more about glaucoma treatment.
Narrow Angle Glaucoma is also known as acute angle glaucoma or angle closure glaucoma. This type of glaucoma is much less common than open angle glaucoma It is also more dangerous because intraocular pressure can rise very quickly, leading to rapid damage of the optic nerve.
What Causes Narrow Angle Glaucoma?
Fluids produced in the eye flow over the lens, through the pupil and into the anterior chamber of the eye. The fluid then flows out of the eye through what is known as the trabecular meshwork, a spongy network of tissue. In narrow angle glaucoma, this route gets blocked. When this happens, the normal flow of fluid is restricted and this results in a rapid increase of the intraocular pressure.
Risk Factors for Narrow Angle Glaucoma
You may be more likely to have an acute angle closure glaucoma depending on the following:
Whether you have risk factors or not, we will determine if you have a narrow angle as part of a routine eye examination.
Symptoms of Narrow Angle Glaucoma
Unlike most types of glaucoma, angle closure glaucoma produces noticeable symptoms, including:
Symptoms may go away after several hours or persist until treatment lowers your intraocular pressure. Angle closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. If you experience the symptoms of angle closure glaucoma, contact us immediately or go directly to the emergency room to avoid possible vision loss.
Treatment of Angle Closure Glaucoma
Because of the potential for rapid and permanent vision loss, treatment for angle closure glaucoma is designed to rapidly decrease intraocular pressure using some or all of these treatments:
