Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., especially for patients with diabetes or high blood pressure. As specialists in eye diseases, Joseph Kamerling, MD and Paul Speesler, OD with South Jersey Vision Center in Barrington, New Jersey work with patients to lower their risk of glaucoma and educate them on the hazards of this severe eye disease. Patients at South Jersey Vision Center undergo screening for glaucoma as part of a comprehensive eye exam.
Glaucoma is an umbrella term for diseases that affect the optic nerves. The optic nerve serves as the connection between the retina and the brain.
Damage to this critical nerve occurs due to high pressure in the eye. Without a proper functioning optic nerve, vision is affected.
Glaucoma can affect any person at any age and is sometimes a complication of another medical problem, like heart disease or diabetes.
The eyeball is a globe filled with fluid that flows through the eye. A build-up of this fluid, called the aqueous humor, increases eye pressure to the point that it causes nerve damage. Either overproduction of the fluid or a failure of the drainage system can cause such accumulated pressure.
Glaucoma typically doesn't have any symptoms, which is why this eye disease is so dangerous. When symptoms do occur, they vary based on the type of glaucoma and the stage of it.
For example, open-angle glaucoma presents with patchy spots in the peripheral or central vision in both eyes. As the condition progresses, the patient develops tunnel vision.
Glaucoma symptoms may include:
There's currently no way to repair the damage done to a person’s vision by untreated glaucoma, which is why the practitioners at South Jersey Vision Center routinely screen for the disease.
It takes a specialist in the field to diagnosis and treat this dangerous condition. If you’re worried about glaucoma, call or click today to schedule an appointment at South Jersey Vision Center.
