Risk factors for glaucoma?

Glaucoma & the Importance of Regular Eye Exams :: Annapolis, MD Eye Doctor

September 15, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

According to a 2011 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, nearly 40% of adults over the age of 40 said they avoided the eye doctor last year. Of the 11,503 people surveyed, almost 35% said they believed they had healthy vision and didn’t feel they needed an eye exam.

Perhaps these individuals did not know that the majority of people suffering from glaucoma experience no symptoms until the eye disease has progressed. In fact, an individual can lose as much as 40% of their vision before even noticing a problem. This is why it is estimated that nearly half of the 2.2 million Americans affected by glaucoma are unaware that they even have the eye disease. And once a person begins to lose their vision, the damage is irreversible.

This is why regular eye exams are so important. With no cure, the best way to deal with glaucoma and preserve one’s vision is with early detection and regular treatment.

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.

During your routine checkup, your eye doctor will not only evaluate your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but he/she will also inspect your eyes for common eye diseases, like glaucoma and cataracts, that could lead to vision loss.

Testing for Glaucoma

Field Vision Tests evaluate both central and peripheral sight through a series of subjective examinations that measure the entire scope of an individual’s vision.
The measurement of eye pressure (normal range 12-22).
A close assessment of the optic nerve.
A measurement of the cornea of the eye.

These tests are repeated once a year or more often if there is any concern about glaucoma risk or progression.

To learn more about Glaucoma, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

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. Vision problems 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:

CDC: Many Americans are Skipping Eye Care

Diagnosing Glaucoma with Visual Field Tests

September 7, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

To test for glaucoma – an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve and peripheral vision – patients identified as at-risk for the condition will undergo a visual field test. For those who have been previously diagnosed with glaucoma, visual field testing is required to track the progression of the disease, monitor potential loss to the visual field, and adjust treatment approaches to ensure proper management of the condition.

Visual field tests evaluate both central and peripheral sight through a series of subjective examinations that measure the entire scope of an individual’s vision. They are utilized to help determine the total area in which objects can be seen in the peripheral vision while the eye is focused on a central point. Separately mapping the visual fields of both eyes, it requires the patient to understand and actively participate in the entire test to ensure accurate results.

Considered the gold standard for diagnosing glaucoma, automated perimetry – which is the measurement of visual fields – is one of the most commonly used methods of visual field testing. An advanced computerized examination issued by a trained technician, visual field testing requires the patient to look inside of a concave dome, where white lights of varying intensity will flash one at time in different places around the dome. With one eye covered, the examinee is instructed to press a button when he detects a light, which transmits a signal to the computer, allowing it to adjust the flashes by making them brighter or dimmer. The patient’s reactions help to determine if a visual field defect is present in his eyesight.

Visual field testing is recommended for glaucoma suspects and those who have already been diagnosed with the condition in order to track the progression of the disease on patient eyesight; it is covered by most healthcare insurance plans.

Those at risk for developing glaucoma include those with:

High Myopia (nearsightedness)

Ocular Hypertension (elevated eye pressure)

Thin Cornea – Central corneal thickness less than .5 mm

At Anne Arundel Eye Center, we offer visual field testing for patients with glaucoma or for those who might be at risk for glaucoma, and our doctors are dedicated to educating and informing patients about their condition while offering inclusive treatment and prevention plans.

To learn more about Visual Field Testing for Glaucoma, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, or consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank, and Dr. Corinne Casey, the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

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:

Visual Field Test

Glaucoma: An Overview from Dr. Nathan Frank

January 30, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

According to a survey conducted in 2002 by Prevent Blindness America, 30 percent of Americans have never heard of
glaucoma and only half of those participating in the survey actually knew what it was. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, and specialists believe that roughly 2.2 million people in America are affected. Only half of these individuals know that they have the disease. Given that January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, this is a great time to review the condition so that you, as patients, can become better informed and more knowledgeable.

Glaucoma is a multi-factorial disease that causes damage to the optic nerve that eventually leads to vision loss. Peripheral (side) vision loss occurs due to damage of the optic nerve of eye, which is similar to a fiber optics cable with about 1.2 million fibers that send images from the eye to the brain. There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open angle glaucoma and angle closure glaucoma. Both are usually marked by increased eye pressure inside the eye, but differ in the anatomical structure of the drainage system of the eye.

Risk factors for glaucoma? Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, newborn babies and senior citizens alike. However, there are several groups of people with an increased risk of developing the disease. Risk is heightened by:

Race (African Americans, Asians and Hispanics)
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Steroid Use
Age (People over 60)
History of eye trauma
Family History of glaucoma
High near-sighted patients

What are the common symptoms of glaucoma? The majority of people that have glaucoma are without symptoms. The visual symptoms that do occur tend to occur later in the disease process.

How to diagnose glaucoma? A comprehensive eye evaluation is imperative to rule out any suspicion for glaucoma. There are several important factors that need to be assessed prior to making a diagnosis. These include: measurement of eye pressure (normal range 12-22), a close assessment of the optic nerve, a peripheral visual field measurement, an exam of the drainage system of the eye, and finally a measurement of the cornea of the eye. These measurements are repeated once or twice a year or more often if there is any concern about progression.

How is glaucoma treated? The best way to protect your vision if diagnosed with glaucoma is to continue care
with your eye care provider. The goal of treatment is to lower the intraocular pressure to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. When diagnosed with glaucoma, the first line of treatment usually starts with the use of a single eye drop that is instilled once a night. If further pressure lowering is needed, additional drops can be used. Further treatment options include laser therapy or, if necessary, surgical treatment.

Glaucoma is a very complicated disease and this is only a brief overview. Some questions may still remain; a great
resource for information is glaucoma.org, a website that is constantly updated with information for those with glaucoma and for those who may know others with glaucoma.

If you have any further questions and would like to learn more about Glaucoma Detection and Treatment, please Dr. Frank 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. Samuel 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.

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!