Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the No. 1 cause of blindness in America, but early detection can prevent you from losing your eyesight.
What is Glaucoma?How Do I Know if I Have Glaucoma & Who is at Risk?
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma?
How is Glaucoma Treated?
What is a Glaucoma Implant?
How does a Glaucoma Implant Work?
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a complex eye disease in which circulation of the fluid in the eye is disrupted. It is similar to the blockage of the sink in the kitchen leading to overflow of water. This blockage of the fluid stops the process of re-absorption of the eye fluid leading to high pressure rise within the eye. This high pressure and other factors can ultimately affect the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye and the brain like a telephone cable. Once the optic nerve is damaged, permanent vision loss can occur.
How Do I Know if I Have Glaucoma and Who is at Risk?
• Between 3-6 million Americans have glaucoma.
• More than 13% of people above 60 years have glaucoma.
• About 5,500 patients go blind from glaucoma each year.
• African Americans are 4 to 5 times more likely to develop glaucoma, & up to 6 times more likely to go blind.
Eye Exams:
Complete eye exams are necessary to determine if you have glaucoma or are at risk. These examinations, preformed by your ophthalmologist, consists of:
• Measuring your eye pressure.
• Evaluation of optic nerve damage.
• A visual field test to measure your side vision.
You have a high risk of developing glaucoma if:
You are 65 years or older, especially if you have diabetes.
• You have a family history of glaucoma.
• Your ancestry is of African descent.
• You have ever had an eye injury.
These are the people who are at the highest risk for developing glaucoma; however anyone can develop glaucoma, ranging from babies to adults.
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What are the Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma?
In the vast majority of cases, especially in early stages, there are few signs or symptoms. In the later stages of the disease, symptoms can occur that include:
• Slow loss of side or peripheral vision.
• An inability to adjust the eye to darkened rooms.
• Difficulty focusing on close work.
• Rainbow-colored rings or halos around lights.
• Frequent need to change eyeglass prescriptions.
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How is Glaucoma Treated?
Treatment varies from person to person. In 80% of the glaucoma cases medicine or laser surgery is used to control glaucoma. Medication and laser surgeries are not always effective, therefore, at times glaucoma implants are necessary. Glaucoma Drainage Implants are a useful alternative in treating glaucomas that are resistant to medical therapy and conventional glaucoma surgery. After the valve has been implanted, the intake of medication may be reduced. (e.g. if you have been taking four different medications before the implant, after the implant you may just need one or none.)
Do medications have side effects?
Medications sometimes create side effects such as:
• Blurred vision, headaches and burning of the eyes.
• Low blood pressure, reduced pulse rate, and fatigue.
• Changes in sense of taste.
• Rapid heart rate or fluctuation in heart rhythm.
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What is a Glaucoma Implant?
A glaucoma implant consists of a very small plate with a unique valve system that regulates your eye pressure. Attached to the plate is a tube that drains the fluid out of the eye, thus reducing the eye pressure. The implant is outside the eye but it is covered by the skin of the eye so it can't be seen or felt.
There are a variety of implants on the market. But only The Ahmed tm Glaucoma Valve has consistent behavior. The Ahmed tm Glaucoma implant provides effective long term control of intraocular pressure, with a success rate of about 90%.
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How does a glaucoma implant work?
Implant surgery immediately reduces the pressure in the eye by giving the fluid a means to drain out more efficiently. Because the glaucoma implant is a valve, it adjusts itself according to the fluid pressure in the eye. There is a precise control on the amount of fluid that is allowed to flow through it. This ensures that there is no excessive drainage from the eye, which can be a serious problem.
Postoperatively:
Implant surgery is done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The total procedure takes about one hour. Postoperatively, you will need to take some medications until your eye is completely healed, and any pain medication for any discomfort you feel. Regular follow-up exams will track the pressure changes in your eye and ensure that the glaucoma implant is working successfully.
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References:
1) American Academy of Ophthalmology
2) Glaucoma Surgery by John Thomas, MD, Chief Editor, Mosby-Year Book, Inc. 1992
3) Williams AS. Setons in glaucoma surgery. In: Albert DM, Jakobiec FA, Editors, Principles and practice of ophthalmology: Clinical practice. Philadelphia : WB Saunders, 1994: 1665-1667
4) Glaucoma Research Foundation, http://www.glaucoma.org
5) Ophthalmic Surgery Lasers 1999; 30:662-667
6) Intermediate-Term Clinical Experience with the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implant by Peter A. Netland, MD.PhD, Richard A. Hill, MD and Anne L. Coleman
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For Further Information Contact Your Doctor or:
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco , CA 94109-7424
Tel: (415) 561-8500
www.aao.org
The Glaucoma Foundation
116 John Street, Suite 1605
New York , NY 10038
1 (800) 452-8266
(212) 285-0080
info@glaucomafoundation.org
www.glaucomafoundation.org
New World Medical, Inc.
10763 Edison Court
Rancho Cucamonga , CA 91730
Tel: 1 (800) 832-5327
www.ahmedvalve.com