Frequently Asked Questions
GLAUCOMA
What is glaucoma?
What causes glaucoma?
Who is at risk for glaucoma?
CATARACT
What is a cataract?
How is a cataract treated?
Will cataract surgery improve my vision?
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
What is diabetic eye disease?
What are the symptoms?
How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
GLAUCOMA
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve which carries images to the brain. When a patient has glaucoma, the fluid in the eye does not drain properly causing the pressure in the eye to increase. As the pressure increases, it pushes on the optic nerve causing damage. The damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, however treatments are available to prevent any further vision loss. The most evident symptoms of glaucoma are a loss of peripheral vision which gradually moves inward. It is important to have your eye pressure checked and optic nerve examined yearly.
What causes glaucoma?
Clear liquid, called the aqueous humor, flows in and out of the eye. This liquid is not part of the tears on the outer surface of the eye. You can think of the flow of aqueous fluid as a sink with the faucet turned on all the time.
If the "drainpipe" gets clogged, water collects in the sink and pressure builds up. If the drainage area of the eye - called the drainage angle - is blocked, the fluid pressure within the inner eye may increase, which can damage the optic nerve.
Who is at risk for glaucoma?
High pressure alone does not mean that you have glaucoma. Your Ophthalmologist considers many factors in determining your risks for developing this disease.
The most important risk factors include:
- Age
- Nearsightedness
- African ancestry
- A family history of glaucoma
- Past injuries to the eyes
- A history of severe anemia or shock
Your ophthalmologist will weigh all of these factors before deciding whether you need treatment for glaucoma or whether you should be monitored closely as a glaucoma suspect.
This means your risk of developing glaucoma is higher than normal, and you need to have regular examinations to detect the early signs of damage to the optic nerve.
CATARACT
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It can be compared to a window that is frosted or yellowed.
There are many misconceptions about cataracts. A cataract is not:
- A film over the eye
- Caused by overusing the eyes
- Spread from one eye to the other
- A cause of irreversible blindness
Common symptoms of cataracts include:
- A painless blurring of vision
- Glare or light sensitivity
- Poor night vision
- Double vision in one eye
- Needing brighter light to read
- Fading or yellowing of colors
The amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary. If the cloudiness is not near the center of the lens, you may not be aware that a cataract is present.
How is a cataract treated?
Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed. However, if symptoms of a cataract are not bothering you very much, surgery may not be needed. Sometimes a simple change in your eyeglass prescription may be helpful.
There are no medications, dietary supplements, or exercises that have been shown to prevent or cure cataracts.
Protection from excessive sunlight may help slow the progression of cataracts. Sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet (UV) light rays or regular eyeglasses with a clear, anti-UV coating offer this protection.
Will cataract surgery improve my vision?
The success rate of cataract surgery is excellent. Improved vision is achieved in the majority of patients if other vision-limiting problems are not present.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
What is diabetic eye disease?
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of this disease. All can cause severe vision loss or even blindness.
Diabetic eye disease may include:
- Diabetic retinopathy - damage to the blood vessels in the retina.
- Cataract - clouding of the eye's lens.
- Glaucoma - increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision.
Cataracts and glaucoma also affect many people who do not have diabetes.
What are the symptoms?
Often there are none in the early stages of the disease. Vision may not change until the disease becomes severe nor is there any pain.
Blurred vision may occur when the macula - the part of the retina that provides sharp, central vision - swells from the leaking fluid. This condition is called macular edema. If new vessels have grown on the surface of the retina, they can bleed into the eye, blocking vision. But, even in more advanced cases, the disease may progress a long way without symptoms. That is why regular eye examinations for people with diabetes are so important.
How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
The best treatment is to prevent the development of retinopathy as much as possible. Strict control of your blood sugar will significantly reduce the long-term risk of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. If high blood pressure and kidney problems are present, they need to be treated.
Laser surgery: Laser surgery is often recommended for people with macular edema, PDR, and neovascular glaucoma.