Glaucoma is an ocular disease that develops when your optic nerve is progressively damaged, generally because of rising intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is extremely hard to spot, and most patients might not know they are experiencing glaucoma symptoms until their eyesight is permanently damaged or if their optometrist detects it with an eye exam.
Glaucoma is an umbrella term used to describe a couple different types of ocular diseases. The two most common forms of glaucoma are:
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma found in patients. This disease occurs when the drainage canals responsible for circulating fluid out of the eye become clogged over time, causing pressure inside the eye to rise. This leads to gradual optic nerve damage, causing permanent vision loss.
Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the iris bulges out from the eye, completely blocking the fluid drainage canals. Damage to your vision can happen over time (gradual closed-angle glaucoma) or very quickly (acute closed-angle glaucoma). Experiencing acute closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
Patients very rarely are able to detect their own symptoms of glaucoma. At Bristow Family Eye Care, an annual appointment is critical for diagnosing glaucoma, and we carry a few different methods of how to do so.
The Goldmann Applanation Tonometry test is used to detect your eye’s intraocular pressure, and visual field testing helps detect the actual field of view you have, since optic nerve damage affects peripheral vision first.
Because glaucoma is usually undetectable by our patients, these tests are included with every eye exam.
Glaucoma is treatable, but every patient will need to perform a thorough eye exam to know for sure what kind of treatment they need. Treatments can include oral medications, eye drops, or even laser eye surgery. Speak to your optometrist and they can set you on the right path for effective glaucoma treatment.
Making an appointment was easy. The staff is very friendly. The office is really clean. Didn’t feel rushed during the exam or pressured to purchase eyewear. Eyewear selection was very nice! I will recommend to my friends and family!
I live in Manassas now but I still come to the Associates in Eyecare in Bristow because I really trust them. The staff is always so friendly and while eyecare is always expensive, I feel like they really try to give me the best deal! I’ve been coming to them for a few years now with no plans on going anywhere else.
Been going here for several years and have always had a great experience! When I lost my vision insurance, I tried some the other “budget” places, but decided the care here at AIE is far superior and worth the extra cost. Dr. Colbourne has always been very friendly and caring and always seems to have my best interest in mind. Even though I don’t have vision insurance anymore, I’ll stay with AIE!!
Associates in Eyecare – Bristow is conveniently located in Bristow Center shopping mall between Anytime Fitness and Pizza Hut.
Associates in Eyecare - Bristow
