What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, which carries information from the eye to the brain, and can cause gradual permanent vision loss. The majority of patients with glaucoma have increased eye pressure. This increased pressure can damage the optic nerve, and over time this damage can lead to blindness. Glaucoma is the world’s second leading cause of blindness, affecting more than 60 million people.

Signs & Symptoms of Glaucoma

Unfortunately, the vast majority of patients diagnosed with glaucoma have no symptoms at all. When symptoms are present, they may include:

• Blurry vision
• “Halos” or “floaters” – colored circles or lights
• Eye or head pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Losing peripheral vision or tunnel vision

Glaucoma Diagnosis

There are several tests conducted by your eye care provider that help to diagnose glaucoma. Two of these tests measure the eye’s pressure and corneal thickness. In addition, the optic nerve is examined and measured and the peripheral vision is tested.

Treating Glaucoma at SSM Health Eye Care

SSM Health Eye Care is able to offer a variety of treatment options to suit each individual patient. The goal of all of these treatments is to lower the pressure in the eye. Options include: eye drops, oral medications, laser treatment and traditional surgery.

SSM Health Eye Care proudly offers the latest generation of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) equipment – improving glaucoma treatment efficiency and accuracy. Non-invasive and non-thermal, SLT creates natural healing responses within the eye. Many times patients can reduce the use of medications and eye drops after SLT therapy.