Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that affects the optic nerve.

Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve and is the second leading cause of blindness among adults.

It occurs, in part, when pressure inside the eye becomes great enough to injure delicate nerve fibers. Left untreated, the elevated pressure will lead to permanent loss of sight.

Symptoms
In the early stages of glaucoma, there are no obvious symptoms. That is why Dr. Kraft strongly recommends regular annual or biannual eye examinations for all patients over 40, and especially for those with significant risk factors.

Elevated Risk Factors
Risk factors include the following groups: patients above the age of 60; patients with a family history of glaucoma; patients with African ancestry; patients with Type 2 diabetes; and patients with past eye injuries.

Treatment
Early detection is essential. When detected before the condition has reached an advanced stage, treatment with eye drops is usually the most effective method of treating the condition and preventing devastating optic nerve damage.

Laser surgery treatments are effective for certain types of glaucoma. In open-angle glaucoma cases, the drain itself is treated where a laser is used to enlarge the drain (trabeculoplasty) to help control eye pressure. In angle-closure glaucoma cases, the laser creates a hole in the iris (iridotomy) to improve the flow of aqueous fluid to the drain.

There's eye care and there's advanced eye care. See the difference advanced eye care can make. Have your questions answered in person by Dr. Kraft. Schedule a consultation.