Glaucoma Diagnosis & Co-management
Herndon, VA
Regular glaucoma exams at Beyond Eyecare in Herndon, VA are vital for early detection and treatment of the potentially sight-threatening disease.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is a nerve at the back of your eye that connects to your brain. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye, known as intraocular pressure. The optic nerve carries visual messages from the eye to the brain, so any damage to it can result in vision loss. There are different types of glaucoma, but the most common is open-angle glaucoma. In this type of glaucoma, fluid builds up in the eye due to poor drainage, leading to increased pressure.
Comprehensive eye exams are the best way and often the only way to detect this disease early. Without an eye exam, you may not even realize you have glaucoma until permanent damage has already occurred. Following a diagnosis, our experienced optometrist can recommend a personalized treatment plan to slow its progression and prevent further vision loss.
Risk factor assessment
Dr. Khaldieh will begin by assessing your risk level for developing glaucoma. This will help determine the frequency and extent of testing needed. Through a family history and medical questionnaire, our eye doctor is looking for the following risk factors:
- Over the age of 60
- Ethnic background such as African or black Caribbean descent, Hispanic, or Asian
- Family history of glaucoma, such as a sibling or parent with glaucoma
- History of eye conditions, injuries, or surgeries
- Prolonged corticosteroid use (eye drops, pills, inhalers, or creams)
- Chronic conditions that affect blood flow, such as migraines, diabetes, low blood pressure, or hypertension
- Current or former smoker
If you’ve already had a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will also consider these risk factors:
- Eye pressure higher than normal (above 21 mm Hg)
- Thin corneas (less than 0.5 millimeters)
Your type of eyesight is also important. People with farsightedness are at a higher risk for narrow-angle glaucoma, a more serious type that can advance quickly. In comparison, nearsightedness is associated with open-angle glaucoma, which progresses slowly without any symptoms.
Glaucoma diagnosis
You might be surprised at how many tests eye doctors use to diagnose glaucoma. A proper diagnosis requires careful evaluation of many aspects of your eye’s health—from eye pressure to cornea thickness to the health of your optic nerve. During a comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Khaldieh will always check for glaucoma, regardless of the risk level. This provides a baseline for comparison as you age.
Alternative to the air puff test
At Beyond Eyecare, we use a device called a tonometer to measure the pressure inside your eyes. Many people have struggled with the traditional air puff tonometry test which uses a puff of air to measure your eye pressure. The sudden burst of air can be startling and uncomfortable. We have upgraded our technology, however, and use an instrument called the iCare Tonometer to measure intraocular pressure. There’s no puff of air and no eye drops. Instead of using a gust of air to measure pressure like traditional tonometers, the iCare tonometer uses a small probe that gently touches the surface of your eye. Our patients have been thrilled with this new technology!
Glaucoma treatment in Herndon
Currently, glaucoma is not curable, but treatment can significantly slow the progression of the disease. Glaucoma damages your eye’s optic nerve. Extra fluid builds up in the front part of your eye (cornea), which increases the pressure in your eye. Reducing this pressure is the primary objective of any glaucoma treatment.
The most common treatment for glaucoma is prescription eye drops. They work by lowering the pressure in your eyes and preventing further damage to the optic nerve. Beyond eye drops, laser surgery is a less invasive option. The laser opens clogged tubes and drains fluid. It can take a few weeks to see the full results. If laser surgery or drugs don’t relieve your eye pressure, you may need a more traditional operation. You would have to go into the hospital and will need a few weeks to heal and recover. If surgery is necessary, our team will refer you to a surgeon in the area and then provide post-operative care during follow-up appointments.
For more information on glaucoma or to see our eye doctor, call us at (703) 239-6633 or schedule an appointment online.