Dr. Sam Boles, an Annapolis eye doctor, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of glaucoma.
Over the past several months, we have taken an in-depth look at several different types of glaucoma: Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, Angle Closure Glaucoma, Normal Tension Glaucoma, Congenital Glaucoma, Exfoliative Glaucoma, Neovascular Glaucoma, and Pigmentary Glaucoma. This week, we are going to take a closer look at Traumatic Glaucoma, a type of Secondary Glaucoma.
About Traumatic Glaucoma
As we have explained before, secondary glaucoma is a term used to describe any form of glaucoma where there is a distinguishable cause of increased eye pressure (IOP). Traumatic Glaucoma, as you can probably figure out, is caused by an injury to the eye: penetrating injury, chemical burn, blunt trauma, etc. The resulting open-angle glaucoma can develop immediately following the injury or develop years later.
Did you know that more than 1 million eye injuries occur in the United States each year? Whoa! If you suffer an eye injury, it is important to visit your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – as soon as possible.
Traumatic Glaucoma Treatment in Annapolis
Eye injury resulting from blunt trauma is treated by keeping the eye pressure at safe levels while excess blood is drained from the eye. Medication is typically the first course of action. However, if eye pressure is not sufficiently controlled using medication, surgery may be necessary.
Eye injury resulting from a penetrating injury often leads to damaged tissue and scarring, which can block the eye’s drainage canals. This type of injury is best treated using preventive measures, such as Corticosteroid therapy, which helps prevent tissue damage and scarring. Antibiotics are also an important part of initial treatment.
In either case, following an eye injury resulting in an increase in eye pressure (IOP), your eye doctor may recommend regular exams every 4-6 weeks for the first year after the injury to monitor the situation. Even if your eyes show no sign of elevated IOP, the potential for late-onset glaucoma still exists. Because of this, annual eye exams are recommended.
If you have any questions about Traumatic Glaucoma Treatment in Annapolis or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact Board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
Sources:
Secondary Glaucoma, Glaucoma Research Foundation
Traumatic Glaucoma, Glaucoma Research Foundation
Traumatic Glaucoma, Southwestern Medical Center