Glaucoma FAQs (cont.)
Medical Author:
Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS
Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACSAndrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. IN THIS ARTICLE
How Is Glaucoma Treated?The treatment of angle-closure glaucoma is primarily surgical while the treatment of open-angle glaucoma is usually medical, through the use of eye drops. To treat glaucoma, an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye care and surgery) must first decide whether the glaucoma is of the open-angle or angle-closure variety. In open-angle glaucoma, which is far more common in the United States, the ophthalmologist prescribes eye drops that contain medicine that helps to lower the pressure inside the eye, thereby reducing the risk for future optic nerve damage and preventing further vision loss (see How to Instill Your Eyedrops). Sometimes, if eye drops alone do not lower the pressure enough, laser procedures or surgery performed by an ophthalmologist are necessary to lower the pressure inside the eye. Must Read Articles Related to Glaucoma FAQs
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
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Glaucoma is usually high pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve and can result in permanent vision loss. Not all 3 criteria (that is, high pressur...learn more >>
Angle Recession Glaucoma
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Viewer Comments & ReviewsGlaucoma - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:Which symptoms led to the discovery of your glaucoma? |
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Glaucoma, Primary Congenital »
By definition, primary congenital glaucoma is present at birth; however, its manifestations may not be recognized until infancy or early childhood.
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