As an advanced eye disease, glaucoma can cause significant damage to your eyesight. When left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness. There are several kinds of glaucoma. The most common type of glaucoma, “open-angle glaucoma,” is caused by pressure buildup in the eye (high IOP).

High IOP (or high intraocular pressure) damages the optic nerve, causing a loss of vision. When excessive intraocular pressure is left untreated, it leads to vision loss and eventual blindness. There is currently no cure for glaucoma. Fortunately, there are a variety of medical and surgical treatment methods for controlling glaucoma and preserving eyesight.

In a normal and healthy eye, fluid moves through the “trabecular meshwork,” a pathway that eventually travels out of the eye and into the bloodstream. For patients with open-angle glaucoma, fluid does not drain efficiently from the eye, causing pressure to build up to dangerous levels (high IOP).

Dangerously high IOP leads to optic nerve damage, which can cause irreversible vision loss. Vision loss begins with peripheral vision, where you’re least likely to realize it. Glaucoma is often referred to as the "silent thief of sight,” due to the fact that when one finally realizes vision loss is associated with glaucoma, the disease has already progressed to an advanced level.

The best way to prevent glaucoma is by getting regular eye exams at our Ophthalmologist’s office, especially if you have family members with glaucoma. During your eye examinations, Dr. Michael Ahdoot assesses your unique eye health to determine your risk for glaucoma. In the event that you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we will develop a treatment strategy to preserve your vision. Glaucoma treatment should be performed as soon as possible to avoid further loss of vision.