“Is there a way to prevent Glaucoma?” In fact, that is a great question and is the first of many questions we will cover in our newest blog mini-series, Glaucoma Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles specializes in the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. As Medical Director of the Anne Arundel Eye Center, Dr. Boles as helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision. He is also passionate about educating patients and their families about the various conditions they may be afflicted with.
Is there a way to prevent Glaucoma?
Fortunately, glaucoma treatment and detection has improved dramatically over the years with advances in diagnosis, technology and medical therapy. Nowadays it is rare for a person to fully lose their vision. In fact, less than 5% of glaucoma patients ever fully lose their vision with proper monitoring and effective treatment. And while there is no cure for glaucoma, you can slow the progression of glaucoma with early detection and treatment. This is why regular eye exams are so important. Especially when considering that glaucoma presents with few if any symptoms, a comprehensive Medical Eye evaluation can prove invaluable in identifying problems before they cause irreversible damage.
So, when was your last eye exam?
When you visit your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – he or she will perform a series of tests to check for any changes in your eye or in your vision. If it is found you have glaucoma or are a glaucoma suspect, you will be carefully evaluated, monitored and then if necessary, treated accordingly. For those at risk for future glaucoma development, treatment is most likely not even necessary. In many cases, regular eye exams and vigilant monitoring are the best ways to handle glaucoma suspects. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, however, the condition can be controlled with medications, either eye drops or pills, or surgery.
Treatment successfully preserves vision 95% of the time or more, especially if caught early.
Remember, vision loss due to glaucoma is irreversible. Your best protection is regular eye exams. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that adults, ages 18-60, have their eyes examined every two years, while adults older than 60 have their eyes examined annually. Eye exams will be more frequent if you are a glaucoma suspect.
If you have any questions about Glaucoma 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.
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