Joel L. Pelavin, MD, PC
A chronic progressive disease of the eye causing degeneration of the optic nerve and in extreme cases leading to blindness.
Frequently, glaucoma is associated with elevated intraocular pressure and systemic vascular disease although normal pressure varieties exist. Additional risk factors for glaucoma include myopia (nearsightedness), advancing age and positive family history. Glaucoma is also more common and more difficult to treat in African-Americans and diabetics.
Often, glaucoma is asymptomatic in its early stages and is detected incidentally on routine eye exams. Glaucoma can also occur in an acute form in which the intraocular pressure rapidly rises causing severe pain, blurring of the vision and blindness if not treated promptly.
Conventional treatment for glaucoma usually involves the regular use of intraocular pressure lowering eyedrops although laser procedures and ocular microsurgery are also occasionally employed. Although glaucoma cannot be cured, most cases can be arrested or delayed with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.