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Home > Archives for Open-Angle Glaucoma

What Is Gonioscopy?

June 22, 2016 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

GonioscopyAs G.I. Joe, everyone’s favorite patriotic cartoon, used to tell us, “Knowing is half the battle.” Knowledge is power. And there are at least a dozen more cliches we could throw out to emphasize the importance of furthering one’s understanding of the world around us. This is perhaps never more evident than when talking about medical procedures – even common procedures. Since many of us did not go to medical school, we are not always exactly sure what our physicians are talking about during our checkups. And while most physicians are more than happy to explain these procedures and other industry jargon we may not understand, it is often easier to do a little research yourself. This way you can ask educated questions during your checkup instead of just trying to understand what’s going on.

For instance, when your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – tells you they are performing Gonioscopy, do you have any idea what they are talking about?

What Is Gonioscopy?

Gonioscopy is used to evaluate the internal drainage system of the eye, also known as the anterior chamber angle, where the cornea and the iris meet. This is the point where fluid inside the eye – the aqueous humor – drains out of the eye and into the venous system. It is this simple system that helps maintains proper intraocular pressure (IOP). If the drainage system is blocked or not working properly, IOP can increase, causing damage to the optic nerve – the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain – and resulting in glaucoma.

  • Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: With POAG, the most common form of glaucoma, a blockage develops within the eye’s drainage canals. This traps fluid and causes an increase in IOP. Think about a clogged pipe. Everything may look okay on the outside, but there is an issue under the surface, an issue that could cause a lot of problems if not diagnosed and rectified early. And, just like a clogged pipe, there may be no symptoms or no early warning signs. This is why, as we have already said, regular eye exams are so important.

  • Narrow Angle Glaucoma: Also referred to as acute glaucoma or angle closure glaucoma, narrow angle glaucoma is one of the rarer forms of glaucoma, affecting nearly 500,000 Americans. It is most common in people of Asian descent or those individuals with farsightedness (hyperopia). Narrow angle glaucoma is characterized by a sudden increase in IOP, often in only a matter of hours. This dramatic increase in IOP can cause severe eye pain, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision and headache. This rapid increase in IOP is the result of – you guessed it – narrow angles. But what exactly does this mean?

Under normal circumstances, the angle cannot be seen. Gonioscopy is performed using a special contact lens prism placed on the surface of the eye, after the eye has been numbed using drops. A beam of light is then used to illuminate the angle.

There is no pain typically associated with this exam, and the entire procedure takes only a couple minutes.

Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam Today!

The Anne Arundel Eye Center, led by board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. 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 a Comprehensive Eye Exam

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Nicole Kershner, Dr. Kathryn 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.

Filed Under: Glaucoma Tagged With: Gonioscopy, Narrow Angle Glaucoma, Open-Angle Glaucoma

What is Exfoliative Glaucoma?

June 21, 2013 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

What is Exfoliative Glaucoma?

Also known as pseudoexfoliation, Exfoliative Glaucoma is a type of open-angle glaucoma.

What Causes Exfoliative Glaucoma?

Exfoliative glaucoma is caused by an abnormal accumulation of protein in the eye’s drainage system. The eye disease develops in approximately 50% of eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (abbreviated as either PXF of PXE), which is commonly seen in older individuals and in certain racial groups, such as people from Russia, the Nordic countries, Greeks, Mediterranean populations, Indians, and more.. PXF is when you have the finding of exfoliation on the ledge without glaucoma damage. It is a warning sign of glaucoma (to learn more, check out our previous blog, “What is a Glaucoma Suspect”).

How is Exfoliative Glaucoma different from Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)?

POAG affects around one percent of all Americans (mainly those individuals age 50 or older), making it the most common form of glaucoma. And because this form of glaucoma develops slowly, it rarely ever presents any symptoms and often goes undetected without regular screenings. Unlike POAG, exfoliative glaucoma shows higher intraocular eye pressure (IOP), faster rates of progression, poor response to medical therapy, and increased need for surgical intervention.

How is Exfoliative Glaucoma Diagnosed?

The eye disease often requires a dilated eye exam to diagnose. Any individual over the age of 40 with a family history of exfoliative glaucoma or Northern European extraction should be most cautious, seeking biyearly eye exams.

How is Exfoliative Glaucoma Treated?

As we have already said, most patients show poor response to medical therapy, however, they tend to respond well to treatment by laser trabeculoplasty and most types of glaucoma surgery.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. If left untreated, glaucoma can and does lead to total blindness. Early detection and treatment, meanwhile, can save your sight. An ophthalmologist can usually detect those individuals who are at risk for glaucoma before nerve damage occurs.

What is Exfoliative Glaucoma?

Anne Arundel Eye Center

Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. If you have any questions about our blog, “What is Exfoliative Glaucoma?” please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at the Anne Arundel Eye Center 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.

Source:

Exfoliative Glaucoma Glaucoma Research Foundation

 

Filed Under: Glaucoma Suspect Tagged With: Glaucoma Treatment, Open-Angle Glaucoma, What is Exfoliative Glaucoma

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