Fight Glaucoma by Staying Informed

Glaucoma FAQ
Find out about glaucoma with the glaucoma FAQ from our eye center in Wahiawa, Hawaii,m and Hilo, Hawaii.  Hawaiian Eye Center wants you to be as informed as possible about what glaucoma is and how to take care of it if you have it.  Informed patients do better in controling their condition. Take a look below at our helpful and informative glaucoma FAQ for an answer to many of the most common questions our doctors receive.
 
If My Parent Has Glaucoma, Will I Get It?
There is good evidence that glaucoma runs in families. However, just because a parent has it does not mean you are certain to get it. It is important for anyone with a family history of the condition to get regular eye examinations to assure that there is no evidence of glaucoma. This way, if glaucoma does develop, it can be caught early and treated before it causes serious trouble in the eyes.
Doctor, Glaucoma FAQ in Wahiawa, HI
What Are the Different Types of Glaucoma?
There are 2 basic forms of glaucoma: chronic glaucoma, in which there are rarely symptoms, and acute glaucoma, which can cause symptoms of red painful eye, headache, blurred vision, rainbow, haloes around lights, and nausea and vomiting. Though chronic glaucoma requires treatment, acute glaucoma is an emergency! Without immediate treatment, acute glaucoma can result in blindness. Chronic glaucoma is responsible for more than 90% of all glaucoma, however. Acute glaucoma is more common in people of Asian ancestry, but can occur in anyone.
 
Will I Go Blind from Glaucoma?
Glaucoma has a well-deserved reputation as a blinding disease because, when left untreated or un-diagnosed, it can lead to blindness. If we discover it early, however, it can be effectively treated. If you are under the care of an eye specialist for your condition and you follow the doctor's instructions carefully, chances are good that your vision will remain stable over time. It can't be stressed enough, however, that using medication as directed along with regular follow up visits to the doctor are essential in assuring the best vision over time.
 
What Is Normal Eye Pressure?
For most people, intraocular pressure is in the range of 10-20 mm Hg. However, everyone's eye responds differently to pressure. Some people have no problem with an eye pressure in the twenties; others have severe glaucoma damage in their eyes with pressure in the teens. Glaucoma can occur at any eye pressure. This makes it essential that your eye care professional not only checks your eye pressure, but also examines the optic nerve to be sure there is no sign of glaucoma.		 Does My Insurance Cover Testing for Glaucoma?
Medicare allows a screening test for glaucoma once a year if you are at risk to develop the disease. All medical insurance companies cover medical problems and glaucoma is considered a medical eye condition. Thus, if you have glaucoma, or any other eye condition, or if your doctor thinks you may have glaucoma, your medical insurance should cover all of the office visits and tests. You don't need any special type of vision coverage on your insurance for them to cover these examinations.
 
Do I Need to Avoid Certain Medicines?
Many over-the-counter medications, including cold remedies, allergy medications, and antihistamines recommend that you consult your doctor if you have glaucoma. Interestingly, if you know you have glaucoma, it is unlikely you'll have a problem with these medications. These medicines are contraindicated in people with narrow angle glaucoma, which is unusual, can only be diagnosed with a complete eye exam, and generally can be effectively treated with laser treatment so as to prevent any future problems.
 
What is SLT Laser?
This is a laser that is used to treat the most common form of glaucoma known as "open angle glaucoma." When intraocular pressure is too high, the laser can be used instead of eye drops or in conjunction with eye drops to help lower the pressure. The laser works by stimulating the eye's natural drainage system with small bursts of laser energy. This often has the effect of making the eye's drain work more effectively, thus lowering intraocular pressure. Although it doesn't work for everyone, the laser is a quick, painless procedure with few side effects.

Contact us in Wahiawa, Hawaii, or Hilo, Hawaii, with any questions you might have that aren't answered in our glaucoma FAQ.