Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. It is often characterized by increased eye pressure, which causes damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibers. This pressure may be caused by normally occurring fluid in the eye not being able to drain out as fast as it is being replaced. It is a serious eye disease that, left untreated, can lead to vision loss and blindness.

Many forms of glaucoma do not show symptoms because vision loss is peripheral and may progress slowly. If the disease is diagnosed and treated early, it can be managed, like high blood pressure, and permanent vision loss can be prevented.

People most at risk for glaucoma are:

Older adults
African Americans over the age of 40
People taking steroid medications
People with a family history of glaucoma
Previous eye injury
People who are very nearsighted or farsighted
History of diabetes or hypertension

Common Types of Glaucoma

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma. Sudden closure of the eyes peripheral angle closure, characterized by a rapid increase in intraocular often causing pain, nausea, blurred vision and halos or rainbows around lights
Primary Angle Glaucoma. The iris obstructs the eyes drainage angle in a slow progressive fashion
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. The drainage is open but fluid does not properly drain for some unknown reason
Psuedoexfoliation Glaucoma. Deposits of a fibrous material may contribute to obstruct fluid drainage
Pigmentary Glaucoma. Pigment from the iris obstructs the eye’s drainage system
Angle Recession Glaucoma. Scar tissue from previous injury to the eye obstructs fluid outflow
Neovascular Glaucoma. Other eye diseases can cause the growth of unwanted blood vessels inside the eye. These can affect the drainage structures
Normal Tension Glaucoma. Damage to the optic nerve develops despite pressure in a normal range
Pediatric Glaucoma. Childhood glaucoma occurs in babies and in young children usually caused by developmental problems

UR Medicine's Treatments for Glaucoma

At UR Medicine’s Flaum Eye Institute, we conduct a series of painless tests and exams to check for glaucoma.

Glaucoma can’t be cured, but early treatment can often control it. Treatment may include:

Medicines to reduce pressure in the eye
Surgery to create a new opening for fluid to leave the eye and reduce pressure or improve existing structures' ability to drain fluid
Laser surgery
Drainage tube to help drain fluid

What Sets Us Apart?

We have the most extensive and up-to-date array of diagnostic instrumentation to detect glaucoma, located at many of our locations. Screening for glaucoma is a component of all our routine eye exams. Many of our general eye care providers are skilled in diagnosing and providing early treatment for glaucoma. More difficult to treat disease may be referred to our two fellowship-trained specialists who are experts in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma.

Our main facility includes our own surgery center on the second floor of Strong Memorial Hospital, just below the Eye Institute’s faculty practice clinic. We have a second ambulatory surgery center located on Sawgrass Drive where we also perform surgical procedures related to glaucoma.

We’re also part of National Clinical Trials and are ranked in the top 20 in eye research funding in the United States, including an NIH-funded glaucoma research program. So, you can be assured that our care is informed by the latest scientific discoveries.