A glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that occur when there is a build-up of pressure in the eye. It can be painful and can cause permanent vision loss.

The best defense against glaucoma is early detection. That’s why regular eye exams are so important.

Keep reading to learn more about glaucoma and if there are warning signs to watch out for!

There’s More Than One Type of Glaucoma

There are common symptoms and warning signs of glaucoma. Did you know that there’s actually more than one type of glaucoma?

These symptoms and warning signs will vary based on the stage, as well as the type of glaucoma. It is important that you are aware of these warning signs.

There are three common types of glaucoma:

• Open-angle glaucoma

• Angle-closure glaucoma

• Normal-tension glaucoma
  
  

There are other kinds of glaucoma but they are less common.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It is caused by the trabecular meshwork becoming partially blocked. The drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris remains open. This causes the buildup of pressure in the eye.

Blind spots in peripheral vision (usually in both eyes) are a common sign of open-angle glaucoma. You may also develop tunnel vision as open-angle glaucoma advances.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

This is also referred to as “closed-angle glaucoma.” Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the iris starts bulging. This blocks the drainage angle formed by your cornea and iris. Pressure builds up when fluid can’t move around the eye. You are at a higher risk of developing this form of glaucoma if you have naturally narrow drainage angles.

Angle-closure glaucoma can occur suddenly or slowly over time. Symptoms and warning signs of this type of glaucoma include:

• Severe headaches

• Eye pain

• Blurred vision

• Seeing halos around lights

• Red eyes
  
  

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Normal-tension glaucoma occurs when there’s damage to the optic nerve but eye pressure is still normal. Symptoms and warning signs are similar to those of open-angle glaucoma.

The most common symptoms include loss of peripheral vision and tunnel vision. Normal-tension glaucoma often gets worse slowly over time.

It is important to have regular eye exams if you have normal-tension glaucoma. This is the only way your eye doctor can watch how your condition continues to progress.

Glaucoma Treatment To Reduce Pressure

The first line of glaucoma treatment is using medication to reduce pressure in the eyes. The most common kind of medication used for this is eye drops.

These eye drops often reduce the production of and drain the fluid in the eye. Doing so relieves the pressure that has built up in the eye.

Glaucoma Surgery

If eye drops are not enough to lower eye pressure, surgery is usually the next option. There are many surgical procedures that treat glaucoma.

These procedures can be put into two categories: laser surgery and incisional surgery. At Coastal Vision, we offer many kinds of procedures to treat glaucoma, but MIGS procedures are less invasive. MIGS stands for Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery.

Some MIGs procedures we offer include the following:

Ellex ABiC

ABiC is a new MIGS procedure available that uses the same dilation principles of a Canaloplasty. It also addresses all aspects of potential outflow resistance, resulting in patients having lowered eye pressure.

Glaukos iStent

The Glaukos iStent inject is a small stent injected into the eye. It helps restore how fluid flows in the eye while reducing the pressure in the eye.

Ivantis Hydrus Microstent

The Ivantis Hydrus Microstent enhances fluid outflow through its placement in Schlemm’s canal. Fluid can then flow along the canal thanks to the Microstent and into the eye’s natural outflow channel. This helps to reduce eye pressure for patients.

Allergan XEN Gel Stent

This stent gets implanted through a tiny corneal incision. The XEN Gel Stent creates a new pathway for fluid to flow from the anterior chamber, allowing pressure to lower in patients.

Think you may have glaucoma? Schedule an appointment at Coastal Vision at one of our locations in Irvine, Long Beach, Norco, or Orange, CA today!