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Salt Lake City, UT 84107
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Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. The nerve connects the eye to the brain. If the nerve is damaged, transmission of information to the brain is affected resulting in eventual vision loss.
With rare exceptions, glaucoma has no symptoms. There is no pain or discomfort to the eye, only a gradual loss of vision. This change may occur over weeks, months, or even years before you realize you are losing vision. But take heart, The Eye Institute of Utah utilizes a sophisticated instrument option that can detect glaucoma even before symptoms occur.
Those most at risk for the disease include people over 40 years old, African-Americans aged 35 years and older, people with a family history of glaucoma, diabetics, long-term steroid users and very near-sighted people.
In most cases, glaucoma is caused by elevated pressure inside the eye. Yet pressure is not the only risk factor. There are many patients with normal pressures who still have the disease. That’s why it’s important to visit The Eye Institute of Utah on a regular basis to determine if you are developing glaucoma.
Measurement of eye pressure, optic nerve health evalutation and side vision testing all provide valuable information in establishing a diagnosis of glaucoma. The Eye Institute uses an infrared laser to measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, which is the tissue directly affected by glaucoma. The screening is comfortable and convenient. A computer maps the nerve fibers and instantly compares them to a database of normal readings. Thin nerve fiber readings indicate the onset of glaucoma and the need for further testing.
The Eye Institute of Utah’s glaucoma specialist, Dr Alan Crandall, may recommend medication for treatment. This is usually in the form of eye drops. Medication won’t cure the disease, but can keep it under control. If medication proves ineffective, you may need surgery. This may involve the use of a laser or an operative procedure to create a more efficient, pressure-controlling, drainage system. The surgical staff at The Eye Institute has successfully performed thousands of these procedures.