No Cure for Glaucoma

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

January 24, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that lead to damage the optic nerve, usually resulting from a rise in intraocular pressure (IOP). The optic nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain.

Over 60 million people worldwide (2.2 million Americans) have glaucoma and experts estimate that nearly half of them are unaware they are currently affected by the disease. This is probably because glaucoma displays no symptoms and, at first, only affects peripheral or side vision. As a result, an individual can lose as much as 40% of their vision before even noticing. This is also why glaucoma has been nicknamed “the sneak thief of sight.”

Once a person begins to lose their vision, the damage is irreversible. This is why regular eye exams are so important. While there is no cure for glaucoma, early detection and treatment are your best options to slow or even prevent further vision loss brought on by the disease. Without early detection and treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. In fact, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of vision loss in the United States behind only cataracts.

This is why January has been named National Glaucoma Awareness Month.

You are at an increased risk developing glaucoma if…

•You are of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent

• You are over the age of 60

•You have a family member who has already been diagnosed

• You are diabetic

•You are severely nearsighted (myopic)

While everyone should have their eyes examined regularly, those with the above risk factors should increase the frequencies of those examinations.

Early detection equals earlier, simpler and more effective treatment.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about Glaucoma Detection and Treatment, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Cast your vote now for Anne Arundel Eye Center, Dr. Boles and Dr. Frank in Chesapeake Family Magazine’s Favorite Docs 2012! Voting ends on March 15th.

Dr. Boles and everyone else at the Anne Arundel Eye Center proudly support the efforts of The Polakoff Foundation and their role in the ongoing fight against glaucoma. Click here to purchase tickets online for the Polakoff Foundation’s Mardi Gras Celebration to help raise money to aid the fight against blindness.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Glaucoma and Cataracts may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter,Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Early Glaucoma Detection:: Anne Arundel Eye Center

September 23, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of vision loss in the United States behind only cataracts. Currently affecting more than 3 million Americans – though half are unaware they even have the eye disease – glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that lead to intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve, the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This pressure comes from a buildup of normal fluid called the aqueous humor, which is naturally and continuously produced in the front of your eye.

Everyone is at risk of glaucoma. However, certain factors can increase that risk, including: if you are over 60 years of age, if you are African American, if you have high myopia (nearsightedness), diabetes, hypertension, or if you need steroids.

To make the situation worse, many people will not experience any symptoms of glaucoma until they begin to lose their vision. The most common type of glaucoma induced vision loss is tunnel vision, the gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision. Other signs and symptoms include: severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, sudden onset of visual disturbance (often in low light), blurred/blurry vision, halos around lights, and reddening of the eye.

Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. While there is currently no cure for glaucoma, regularly scheduled eye exams, early detection, and treatment (medication and possibly surgery) can help slow or even prevent further vision loss brought on by this disease.

Since glaucoma damage begins well before conventional tests can identify it, we are increasingly thankful for the ability to identify early, subtle nerve damage. Doctors are able to utilize advanced imaging devices – special cameras – to create a three dimensional image of the optic nerve, the part of the eye where the eye pressure does its damage. These tests use infra red light or laser light to create a sophisticated computer aided image of the central portion of the optic nerve called the optic cup, and the retinal layer around the nerve, the nerve fiber later, to help predict who might be at risk for vision loss.

These sophisticated early detection devices are helping doctors “predict the future” of glaucoma and intervene long before you have any perceptible loss of visual function.

Besides, Early detection equals earlier, simpler and more effective treatment.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

You can follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Glaucoma MayoClinic.com

Education on Glaucoma and Cataracts Detection and Treatment

July 7, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

More than 3 million Americans have glaucoma, yet half are unaware that they have it, while cataracts, the leading cause of visual loss in people 65 and older, will affect half of adults by age 80. These are two very different diseases that have one big thing in common; they are both treatable if caught early.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that can affect your sight without warning and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness.

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, however, certain factors may increase this risk including: if you are over 60 years of age, if you are African American, if you have high myopia (nearsightedness), diabetes, hypertension, or if you are a steroid user.

The bad news is that there is currently no cure for glaucoma. The good news is that early detection and treatment (medication and surgery) have been proven to slow down or even prevent further vision loss due to glaucoma, which is why regular eye exams are so important.

Cataracts

A cataract, or clouding of the eye’s natural lens, is a disease usually brought on by age – affecting half of adults by age 80. After years of natural wear and tear, the lens becomes clouded, much like a clear plastic window on a convertible car that turns yellow after years of exposure to sun and weather.

Cataracts symptoms include: blurry sight and sometimes double vision; halos and glare—the eyes become dazzled by bright light, making night driving difficult; colors may become faded; and frequent changes in glasses prescription.

Whether you are experiencing symptoms of cataracts or you fear you may have glaucoma, the earlier you are diagnosed by a certified ophthalmologist, the more a doctor will be able to help you without major intervention/surgery. If you feel you may be at risk, schedule an eye appointment right away.

At Anne Arundel Eye Center, a state-of-the-art treatment center offering complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic surgical eye care, the staff works to not only treat you, the patient, but also educate you about your diagnosis.

“When you give people that knowledge and power, it gives them the ability to take part in their care,” Dr. Samuel Boles told What’s Up Magazine “Patients are more likely to comply with their therapy if they know what you’re asking them to do and why you’re asking them to do it. It’s important to me to help my patients understand the importance of taking care of themselves.”

Anne Arundel Eye Center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone. If you have any questions, contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

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