Glaucoma Specialist
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Family Eyecare, LLC
Optometrists located in Linden, NJ
Glaucoma is a common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide — but you aren’t powerless in the fight. With the guidance and care of Elaina Moyshelis, OD, and the highly experienced optometric care team at Family Eyecare of Linden, you can get the diagnosis and treatment you need to prevent glaucoma progression. Use online scheduling, or call the Linden, New Jersey, office to schedule your appointment now.
Glaucoma Q & A
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that usually causes too-high pressure in your eyes, which can trigger problems leading to vision loss. The two main types of glaucoma are:
Primary open-angle glaucoma
Primary open-angle glaucoma, by far the most common kind of glaucoma, happens when your eyes can’t drain intraocular fluid quickly enough.
This leads to eventual blockage, which elevates intraocular pressure and causes optic nerve damage. This may lead to reduced vision or even blindness.
Primary open-angle glaucoma doesn’t usually trigger any symptoms until it’s quite advanced, when the vision loss becomes obvious.
Angle-closure glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma is a rare kind of glaucoma that develops when your eye drainage system is inaccessible or has an over-narrow entry point.
This triggers a sudden intraocular pressure increase and immediate symptoms such as headache, eye pain, and vision loss. Angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency requiring immediate treatment.
There’s also a form of glaucoma that occurs when your eye pressure is normal, but it’s quite rare.
Am I at risk for glaucoma?
The risk factors for glaucoma are:
- Age 40+
- Family history of glaucoma
- African, Asian, or Hispanic race
- Myopia or hyperopia
- Eye trauma
- Extended use of steroid medications
- Thin corneas or optic nerve
Health problems including diabetes, hypertension, circulatory disorders, migraine headaches, or other systemic illnesses can also be a risk factor for glaucoma.
Although many risk factors aren’t preventable, it’s important to be aware of your risk and get regular monitoring, so you can get early diagnosis and treatment, if necessary.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Your Family Eyecare of Linden optometrist screens for signs of glaucoma during comprehensive eye exams.
If your eye pressure is elevated during the air puff test (a quick puff of air in your eye), your optometrist will typically dilate your pupils to examine your inner eye for indicators of glaucoma. If you’re diagnosed with glaucoma, you’ll learn about treatment options right away.
How is glaucoma treated?
Your optometrist can prescribe eye drops and oral medication, if needed, to slow the progression of your disease.
If these treatments aren’t sufficient, your optometrist refers you to an ophthalmologist who can perform laser surgery or traditional surgery to improve your inner-eye drainage or create new drainage routes.
Your Family Eyecare of Linden optometrist will co-manage your care with the ophthalmologist to ensure that you get exactly what you need for ideal glaucoma management.
Use online scheduling, or call Family Eyecare of Linden for glaucoma help today.
