Glaucoma Management in the Central Valley

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. This type of glaucoma happens gradually, due to the eye not draining fluid properly. Similarly to a clogged drain, this causes fluid to build up and the intraocular pressure to rise. The rise in pressure causes stress on the optic nerve and reduces the amount of blood that can get through to the blood vessels that supply the nerve.

POAG is often asymptomatic in the early stages, but can slowly steal your sight. Monitoring your eye health with proper testing is paramount and may even save your vision.

Angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) can happen rapidly and is very serious. It occurs when the iris is very close to the drainage angle in the eye. If the iris blocks the drainage angle, fluid builds up quickly, causing the intraocular pressure to rise rapidly. This event is referred to as an acute angle-closure attack.

Signs of an acute angle-closure attack include:

• Sudden change in vision or vision loss
• Severe eye pain or headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rainbow-colored rings or halos around lights

An acute angle-closure attack is an eye emergency, and you should visit your ophthalmologist or the hospital immediately, or you may lose your vision permanently.