Glaucoma Specialist
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Harlem VistaSite Eye Care
Optometry located in Harlem, New York, NY
Glaucoma affects millions of Americans every year, except only half of those affected know they have it. The team at Harlem VistaSite Eye Care provides compassionate and comprehensive treatment to people living with glaucoma in New York City. Through rigorous diagnostic, preventive, and curative care, the team can make sure you bypass or slow down the risks of glaucoma. Schedule an appointment today by phone or online.
Glaucoma Q & A
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye infections that arise when there is damage to your optic nerve. There are four main types of glaucoma:
Chronic open-angle glaucoma
Chronic open-angle glaucoma is the most common. It occurs when the system in your eye responsible for draining excess fluid starts to malfunction. As a result, pressure builds inside your eye and causes damage to the optic nerve.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma refers to a total blockage of the eye’s drainage system. Immediate medical attention is required as heightened pressure levels can spontaneously lead to nausea, halo sightings, and blurred vision.
Secondary glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma refers to damage caused by another eye condition or disease. In this case, your underlying condition causes pressure to build inside the eye. Thankfully, secondary glaucoma has an identifiable cause since it’s related to another condition.
Normal tension glaucoma
Normal tension glaucoma occurs when your optic nerve doesn’t respond well to normal pressure levels inside the eye. In this case, your eye gets sensitive and can cause discomfort.
How do you diagnose glaucoma?
Glaucoma evaluations are standard and straightforward. In fact, the team at Harlem VistaSite Eye Care performs glaucoma evaluations during your annual eye exam. For best results, the team can use two types of diagnostic machines:
Visual field machine
Visual field machines test your central and peripheral vision. They can track the progress of any potential vision loss, damage to your optic nerve and to the visual pathways of the brain.
Optomap® machine
The Optomap machine creates ultra-wide digital scans of your retina to detect any sign of eye disease or damage to the optic nerve. The Optomap test takes a few minutes to perform and causes no pain or discomfort.
How do you treat glaucoma?
There is, unfortunately, no known cure for glaucoma. The team works closely with you to manage your symptoms and slow down their potentially dangerous effects.
Your doctor at Harlem VistaSite Eye Care might recommend:
- Oral medication
- Prescription eye drops to regulate fluid flow
- Surgery to insert small drains in your eye
If you have a family history of glaucoma or want to know if you have it, get in touch with Harlem VistaSite Eye Care today by phone or online to schedule an appointment.
