Glaucoma Specialist

Perspective Family Eyecare

Optometry located in Crown Heights & Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY

It’s estimated that more than 3 million Americans are living with glaucoma, which is a very serious eye condition and a leading cause of blindness. At Perspective Family Eyecare, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, Benjamin Arthur, OD, uses advanced in-house technology to diagnose and manage glaucoma. To schedule your comprehensive eye exam or glaucoma screening, call the office or book online today.

Glaucoma Q & A

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a medical term used to describe a group of eye conditions that cause damage to your optic nerve, usually from excess pressure in your eye.

Your optic nerve travels from your retina to your brain and is responsible for transmitting visual information to your brain for interpretation. The health of your optic nerve is vital to vision. Any damage to your optic nerve can lead to vision changes, including blindness, which can’t be reversed.

Your eye is filled with a fluid referred to as aqueous humor. This fluid, which is constantly being replenished, drains through a channel referred to as the trabecular meshwork. Glaucoma develops when there’s an issue with the drainage system that prevents the fluid from leaving your eye, resulting in an increase in eye pressure.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma symptoms vary depending on the type of glaucoma you have. The most common types of glaucoma and their symptoms include:

Primary open-angle glaucoma

With primary open-angle glaucoma, the fluid from your eye drains too slowly through the trabecular meshwork. This type of glaucoma develops without causing any noticeable symptoms until you’ve experienced permanent vision changes, such as patchy blindness or tunnel vision. Dr. Arthur recommends regular comprehensive eye exams to screen for this type of glaucoma and reduce your risk of irreversible damage to your optic nerve.

Angle-closure glaucoma

If you have angle-closure glaucoma, your drainage system is too narrow or closed, resulting in excess fluid in your eye. This type of glaucoma is considered a medical emergency and may cause noticeable symptoms, such as headaches, eye pain, blurry vision, or redness in your eyes. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you need immediate medical care to prevent permanent vision loss.

This is by far the most common form of glaucoma in the US. Of the 3 million people with glaucoma, approximately 2.7 million have open-angle glaucoma.

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

Dr. Arthur uses in-office technology to screen and diagnose glaucoma. Some of the tests include:

Measurement of the intraocular eye pressure
Dilated eye exam to assess optic nerve damage
Visual acuity test
Measurement of corneal thickness
Assessment of drainage system

You may be at risk for glaucoma if it runs in your family. Various medical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, may also increase your risk. Regular comprehensive eye exams are the only way to know if you have glaucoma.

How is glaucoma managed?

Dr. Arthur develops personalized treatment plans for the management of glaucoma. While it’s not possible to reverse the damage to your optic nerve, he can provide treatment to lessen eye pressure and reduce the risk of further damage. Treatment for your glaucoma may include eye drops or oral medication that reduces eye pressure.

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition, but an early diagnosis and treatment plan may prevent permanent vision changes. Call Perspective Family Eyecare or book an appointment online today to schedule your exam and screening.