Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that damages the optic nerve. Left untreated, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness worldwide. Often, there are no symptoms associated with glaucoma until the disease has already progressed. There is no known cure for glaucoma but with early treatment, the disease can be slowed and you can help preserve your vision. Regular comprehensive eye exams with a skilled healthcare provider are the best way to diagnose and treat glaucoma. Choosing a reputable clinic with educated eye doctors is crucial to maintaining your visual health. Let's discuss more about glaucoma and what to look for when choosing a clinic in Winnipeg.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases that occur when pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve. This increased eye pressure, called intraocular pressure (IOP), happens when fluid builds up in the eye. When left untreated, this damage will lead to vision loss and eventually blindness.
The Most Common Types of Glaucoma
Open-Angle Glaucoma
This is the most common form of glaucoma and accounts for around 90% of all cases. Open-angle glaucoma occurs when the eye's drainage canals become clogged over time. This type of glaucoma rarely shows any symptoms until your vision is already at risk. The results from your regular eye exam might be the first sign that you suffer from open-angle glaucoma. Fortunately, when caught early, this type of glaucoma usually responds well to treatment.
Closed-Angle Glaucoma
This type of glaucoma happens when the fluid in the eye is suddenly blocked. The fluid cannot circulate or release, resulting in a quick increase in eye pressure. Closed-angle glaucoma is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. If you experience symptoms that come on rapidly, such as sudden vision loss, eye redness, severe eye pain, nausea, or seeing coloured rings in your field of vision, you may be suffering from closed-angle glaucoma. Call your optometrist or visit the emergency room immediately.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Normal-tension glaucoma, also known as normal or low-pressure glaucoma is defined as open-angle glaucoma with a presenting IOP in the normal range. This means normal-tension glaucoma is not linked to rising pressure but occurs when the optic nerve sustains damage. This type of glaucoma is most likely to present itself in patients with sensitive optic nerves or those who receive less blood flow due to partially blocked arteries.
What Are Some Risk Factors for Glaucoma?
Anyone can develop glaucoma but there are certain groups who are at higher risk for the disease. These include:
-older adults, particularly those over age 60
-people with diabetes
-people with a family history of glaucoma
-people who smoke
-people with African, Asian, or Hispanic heritage
-long-term steroid users
-anyone who has had a serious eye injury
At your eye appointment, your optometrist may ask for a complete medical history to get a better understanding of your condition.
Vision loss due to glaucoma cannot be recovered, so early detection and diagnosis is critical. Scheduling regular eye exams is the best way to preserve your vision.
How Do You Choose the Top Clinic in Winnipeg for Glaucoma Diagnostic Procedures?
Experienced Eye Doctors
A qualified eye care professional will examine, diagnose, treat, and help manage all your eye care needs. Prairie Eye Care in Winnipeg employs skilled and educated optometrists, and an ophthalmologist, all of whom are friendly and knowledgeable.
Glaucoma Screening
At Prairie Eye Care in Winnipeg, we screen for glaucoma at every comprehensive eye exam using an array of diagnostic tests, including:
Tonometry (checking eye pressure)
Eye pressure is unique to each person and ranges may vary by individual, but most glaucoma cases occur when eye pressure exceeds 20 mmHg (millimetres of mercury). Using eye drops and a device called a tonometer, your optometrist can measure the inner pressure of the eye. High pressure is often one of the first signs of glaucoma.
Ophthalmoscopy (inspecting the optic nerve for damage)
Using eye drops to dilate your pupils, your eye doctor will be able to see through your eye to observe the retina and optic nerve in order to check for damage.
Perimetry (testing your peripheral vision)
A visual field test will be given to determine how much your eyes can see while focusing on a central point. This is called your field of vision. Peripheral vision loss is one of the first signs of glaucoma progression.
Proper Treatment
Treatment for glaucoma is dependent on the individual case, type, and stage of the disease. There is no known cure for glaucoma and any damage that has already occurred cannot be reversed. However, early treatment is almost always successful at slowing the disease. Your eye doctor should discuss your treatment options with you. Some of these might include:
Prescription eye drops
Eye drops are usually the first step for glaucoma treatment. Depending on your circumstance, prescription eye drops can help decrease eye pressure or they can decrease the amount of fluid your eye makes.
Oral Medication
If eye drops aren’t adequate to bring your eye pressure down, oral medication may be prescribed.
Surgery
For more advanced stages of glaucoma, surgery might be necessary to control the disease. Different options might include laser therapy, filtering therapy (trabeculectomy), drainage tubes, or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
At Prairie Eye Care, our optometrists and our ophthalmologist are highly trained and educated. We will work with you to find the best treatment option for your specific case and are well-versed in eye surgery, should it be necessary.
Choosing an eye clinic to best suit your needs can be intimidating. You'll want to choose a clinic with the best doctors and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Prairie Eye Care is one of the top clinics in Winnipeg. Our team of friendly and skilled eye doctors provides eye care services for both children and adults and we are passionate about providing you and your family with the best service! Scheduling regular eye exams is the best way to prevent and treat eye diseases such as glaucoma. Don't be afraid to talk to your eye doctor if you have questions or concerns about your eye health.
To book an appointment at Prairie Eye Care in Winnipeg, contact us at our office today.
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