Glaucoma Treatment in Lancaster, PA

Do you know someone with glaucoma? Are you at risk? Glaucoma, a group of optic nerve diseases, affects approximately three million Americans, particularly those over age 60. Don’t take the risk. Has it been a while since you’ve had an eye exam? This is the best way to detect glaucoma as well as many other eye diseases and conditions. Come in for an exam. If you are in Lancaster PA and need glaucoma treatment as a result of the eye exam, you are in good hands with Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania in our nearby Lebanon PA location.

Tell me more about glaucoma

By far the most common form of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which affects about 90 percent of all patients with some form of glaucoma. The biggest issue with open-angle glaucoma is that the condition initially has no symptoms. When a patient realizes there has been a significant change in vision, significant damage to the optic nerve and resulting vision loss has already occurred. Most people first notice a change in peripheral (side vision). It is important to know that you can become totally blind if your glaucoma is not treated.

Glaucoma is caused by sustained damage to the optic nerve. The internal eye pressure is elevated in patients with glaucoma, and, over time, the continued pressure elevation damages the nerve and causes subsequent vision loss because the mechanism of nerve transmission of information from the eye to the brain becomes damaged.

Am I at risk for glaucoma?

As with any disease, there are several key risk factors for glaucoma. In general, anyone older than age 60 is at higher risk for open-angle glaucoma. A family history of glaucoma puts you at increased risk. African Americans over age 40 and Hispanics over age 60 are also at higher risk.

Glaucoma often has no symptoms. Once patients notice any substantive changes in vision, it is often too late, and substantial vision loss has occurred. Our treatments are designed to curb any further vision loss, but we unfortunately cannot restore any vision loss that has already occurred.

We cannot stress to our patients how important regular eye exams really are. Our newest surgeon, Dr. Michael Smith says eye exams are crucial for detecting, diagnosing and preventing damage to the optic nerve. Dr. Smith stresses the importance of having a dilated eye exam on an annual basis. This exam becomes even more important for individuals who are at a high risk for glaucoma.

Are you in a high-risk category for glaucoma? If so, please do not hesitate to come see us. Make an appointment with Dr. Smith today. Our treatments are designed to slow the disease and halt further vision loss. For patients in Lancaster PA, our dedicated team in Lebanon PA is standing by to provide the best glaucoma treatment for you. Our Blandon location is also close by. Don’t delay. Call us today at 610-378-8500 or visit our Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania website to schedule an appointment.