Glaucoma Eye Exam in Jefferson City, MO

Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by fluid buildup in the front of eye. As fluid builds, it causes pressure in the eye which then damages the optic nerve. Glaucoma is a very serious disease that can lead to blindness, but like cataracts, can be prevented early on with the right treatment. Symptoms of glaucoma are usually quite mild until damage to the eye has become severe, so for those 60 and above, regular eye doctor appointments are extremely important.

Types of Glaucoma

To identify the symptoms of glaucoma, it is important to understand the two types of the disease.

Open-angle Glaucoma

Unfortunately, with open-angle glaucoma there are no early warning signs or symptoms. When the disease progresses, blind spots occur in the peripheral, or side, vision. Regular eye exams are the only way to prevent this type of glaucoma.

Angle-closure Glaucoma

Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma present themselves during an “attack”, and include headaches, blurry vision, or eye pain.

Though these symptoms may not be caused by glaucoma, if you or a family member are experiencing these symptoms it’s best to schedule a preventative eye exam.

Am I At Risk for Developing Glaucoma?

Much like cataracts, glaucoma usually presents itself with advancing age, but the only way to know if you have glaucoma is through regular eye exams. Other common risk factors include:

Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma can be treated, especially when caught early on. One of the most common treatment methods for glaucoma is the use of prescription eyedrops. Eyedrops can help facilitate the outflow of fluid from the eye, decrease the fluid production, or combination of the two.

Depending on the severity of your glaucoma, laser surgery may be an alternative form of treatment. While our doctors do not perform glaucoma surgery, we can recommend you to specialists who provide this care.