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Glaucoma Calgary

What is Glaucoma?

Referred to as ‘the silent thief of sight,’ glaucoma slowly damages the nerves at the back of the eye. This blinding disease has no outward or visual symptoms. Glaucoma is a complex disease with risk factors from genetics, injury and systemic disease that include race, gender, age, eye anatomy, diabetes, high myopia and more. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent Glaucoma. Routine annual eye exams are your best defense in early detection and treatment, especially if you have an immediate family history.

Early detection is important to ensure the best treatment for Glaucoma. In Calgary, Mission Eye Care is committed to your eye health and has the latest technology and equipment for early detection of Glaucoma.

What causes Glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when the pressure of fluid inside the eye is enough to damage the delicate nerve fibers that give us our vision. Over time, the optic nerve of is deprived of nutrients and your peripheral (side) vision is slowly reduced. This vision loss occurs so slowly that there are no symptoms until years later, when nerve fibre damage is severe enough to affect central vision. At this point, chances of preventing further loss are very low.

Symptoms of Glaucoma?

Glaucoma causes no pain, blurry vision, or noticeable vision loss until it’s end stage. Treatment at this late stage is aimed at retaining whatever vision is remaining.

How do I know if I have Glaucoma?

Using modern diagnostic imaging equipment (OCT), we can detect very small nerve losses, allowing for early treatment to reduce eye pressure and prevent further damage.

What is the Treatment for Glaucoma

Treatment for Glaucoma depends on how much damage has been done to your eye and what stage of Glaucoma you are at.

Early Stage Glaucoma

In early stage Glaucoma, treatment is usually an eye drop at night for the rest of your life. In younger patients, we may instead recommend a painless laser treatment known as SLT. When diagnosed and treated early, prognosis for good vision remains high.

Mid Stage Glaucoma

In mid stage Glaucoma, if damage continues to progress, we may add a different class of medicated eye drop or recommend more laser surgery.

Advanced Stage Glaucoma

In more advanced Glaucoma cases we will refer you for laser surgery or microsurgery to further reduce eye pressure.

It’s important to have an annual eye exam to ensure your eyes are in optimal health. During your eye exam your optometrist will measure your eye pressure, image your optic nerve and retina using OCT and assess the results to determine your risk of glaucoma. Other testing will then be done so that we can assess for change over time.

Glaucoma Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the early warning signs of Glaucoma?

Unfortunately, patients with early Glaucoma often have no symptoms. There is no pain, or noticeable change to vision at first. Over time, the peripheral vision can deteriorate, eventually leading to tunnel vision if untreated. Using advanced diagnostic equipment, we can detect Glaucoma before vision is affected. To prevent vision loss, it is important to ensure you are having regular eye examinations.

Is Glaucoma very serious?

Glaucoma can lead to loss of peripheral vision, and eventually blindness if not treated. There are 7 risk factors for Glaucoma, and new technology allows us to detect and monitor for Glaucoma so treatment can be initiated at a much earlier stage than in the past.

What should I avoid if I have Glaucoma?

People with Glaucoma can continue to enjoy normal activities. Our Optometrists always recommend a healthy lifestyle, diet, and regular exercise, regardless of your eye condition.

How do you stop Glaucoma from progressing?

Most cases of Glaucoma are controlled with daily use of eye drops to reduce your eye pressure. However, in certain situations, your Optometrist may refer you to a Glaucoma specialist for laser or surgical intervention.

Can a person with Glaucoma drive a car?

Most patients with Glaucoma can still drive. In cases of advanced Glaucoma, your peripheral vision may be significantly impacted, which may limit your ability to meet Alberta’s requirements for operating a motor vehicle. Read the Vision Standards required for driving in Alberta.