Having been in practice for nearly 39 years, I can say with confidence that glaucoma is very common in Ogden, Utah. This is not surprising though, as glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases across America!
Glaucoma is a progressive disease that affects the optic nerve and causes peripheral vision loss that can eventually end in permanent blindness. It can occur in anyone but is most common in patients over the age of 55 and in those who have a family history of glaucoma.
The scariest thing about glaucoma is that it is a silent disorder that does not cause any symptoms until the advanced stages, once permanent damage has already occurred. This is why annual dilated eye exams are so important, especially if you have a family history of glaucoma.
There is no cure for glaucoma, so our primary goal is to help prevent any progression and further damage/vision loss. We typically try to accomplish this by using medicated drops that are prescribed once or more per day. If these drops are not effective, or if the patient is unable or unwilling to use drops, surgery is also an option.
At OJO Eye Care, we treat glaucoma patients on a daily basis and we pride ourselves on having the most state of the art equipment available for us to diagnose, monitor and treat it. Due to the progressive nature of the disease, it is imperative that glaucoma patients are followed routinely. Depending on the severity of the condition and response to treatment, follow up appointments may be recommended every few months or once a year.
If you have a family history of glaucoma, are over the age of 55, or haven’t had an eye exam within the past 1-2 years, we strongly encourage you to have a routine eye examination to monitor for early signs of glaucoma or other eye diseases. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment! We can’t wait to see you!