Glaucoma

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a medical disease of the eye that, if left untreated, can cause permanent vision loss. It is one of the most serious eye disorders, and approximately 2.25 million Americans 45 years or older have glaucoma. It is estimated that between 84,000 and 116,000 of them have become blind from glaucoma.

Glaucoma is usually caused by increased pressure in the eye, which causes mechanical damage to the optic nerve, and also affects the blood flow to the optic nerve. This damage to the optic nerve is what causes vision loss.

There are two main types of glaucoma: open angle glaucoma, which is the most common form, and acute angle closure glaucoma, which makes up approximately 5% of all glaucoma cases.

An annual comprehensive eye examination with your Houston ophthalmologist is the best way to screen for glaucoma. Our highly experienced Houston ophthalmologists will perform a comprehensive eye health check up, including checking your ocular pressure. If they find any abnormalities, they can perform additional diagnostic testing to diagnose possible glaucoma.

Helpful Articles