At Increased Risk of Glaucoma? What Next?

Has your optometrist or ophthalmologist told you that you are a glaucoma suspect? A glaucoma suspect is someone who has signs of glaucoma, like increased eye pressure, but lacks others, like optic nerve damage or a visual field defect. While this is not cause for panic, it does mean you need to pay close attention. As popular Harry Potter character Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody always said, “Constant vigilance!” A glaucoma suspect means you don’t have glaucoma now, but you are at increased risk of developing glaucoma in the future. As April Pevear, a Patient Care Specialist at Anne Arundel Eye Center, puts it, “It’s like all of the players are on the field, but the game has not started.”

Ocular Hypertension – eye pressure above 21 mm Hg – is a common health issue that affects up to 10 percent of people over the age of 40, and not everyone with increased eye pressure will develop glaucoma. But about 10 percent of people with ocular hypertension will develop glaucoma within five years. And the higher the eye pressure, the greater the risk. Some research also suggests that high blood pressure may increase the risk of glaucoma in older adults.

What Next?

• Eye Drops: Depending on your test results, you may be prescribed eye drops. This can help reduce the likelihood of glaucoma by more than 50 percent over a five year period, but only if taken consistently as prescribed by your ophthalmologist. And research shows that approximately 40% of patients do not take their eye drops as prescribed.
• Consistent Monitoring: Depending on your test results, medication may not be required at this moment. If this is the case, monitoring by a healthcare professional is your best course of action, says Andrew Iwach, M.D., a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. It is important to receive regular examinations and visual field tests to monitor potential glaucoma progression.

Glaucoma Treatment by Anne Arundel Eye Center

The Anne Arundel Eye Center, led by board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, AAEC’s state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Sam Boles

Dr. Boles and the staff at AAEC have helped preserve thousands of patients’ vision. They can help you too.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Boles, Dr. Kathryn Gurganus Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010. AAEC is staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals who will help guide you on your healing journey.