Q: LASIK, CATARACTS & LENS IMPLANTS

A:What is Glaucoma? I was recently diagnosed but really don’t understand the disease. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the health of which is vital for

good vision. The four types of glaucoma are Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG), Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG), Secondary Glaucoma, and Developmental

Glaucoma. There are also several risk factors that cause

the development of glaucoma, some of which include elevated eye pressure, increased age, eye injury, hyperopia (farsightedness), and high myopia (shortsightedness) race and genetics. Glaucoma usually diagnosed by having higher than normal eye pressure. The human eye is filled with a clear liquid (vitreous) that is

continuously made and then drained through a drainage canal in the eye. When this

opening is blocked, the liquid stays in the eye and can cause increased pressure. However, it is important to know that some people that have higherthan-normal eye pressure may not necessarily have glaucoma and people with lower-thannormal eye pressure may have glaucoma.

Treatment options may include using eye drops that reduce the pressure in the eye and laser treatment that can help with drainage. If these two forms of treatment are ineffective, surgery is usually advised. This surgery is called trabeculectomy, which is

essentially removing part of the drainage tubes to allow the buildup of fluid to drain more easily. It is also important to

remember that damage caused from glaucoma is permanent and cannot be reversed. Annual or biannual eye exams are important to ensure the disease is under control and to prevent vision loss.

Michael E. Rom, M.D.

Insight Eye Center Chardon (440) 286-1188

Mentor (440 205-5840 www.insighteyecenter.com