Glaucoma

The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting images to the brain. If intraocular pressure continues to damage the nerve, glaucoma will cause permanent loss of vision. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause blindness within a few ways. However, at Better Vision New Jersey, we can slow the progression of this disease with early detection and treatment.

Glaucoma is a primary cause of blindness in the United States, particularly among senior citizens, but also in individuals as young as 35 (and those who have infantile or juvenile forms). Early detection is paramount for this disease because loss of vision due to glaucoma comes on subtly and very slowly. As a result of its gradual nature, many patients only notice a vision problem when the condition develops to a rather severe point. Extensive or complete vision loss is usually avoidable if the disease is detected, diagnosed, and treated early on. Therefore, we stress the necessity of regular eye examinations at our office.

There are two types of glaucoma, open-angle and narrow-angle or angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle is the more common form of the disease, which can develop and go undetected for years. Conversely, an attack of angle-closure glaucoma is rapid in its development, with suddenly occurring symptoms, frequently happening in the middle of the night. Because of its capacity to destroy vision in hours, angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. In spite of its emergent nature, there are signs on exam, which indicate an increase risk for an attack, which allow for intervention on a preventative basis. While open-angle glaucoma is a chronic disease and as such has no cure, an attack of angle-closure glaucoma can typically be successfully treated within a few hours of onset. Because both types of glaucoma allow for meaningful intervention before there is serious loss of vision, we stress the importance or regular eye examinations, and we invite you to make an appointment with Better Vision New Jersey today!