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Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, which is often associated with high pressure inside the eye. If untreated, vision loss or blindness may occur. It is a leading cause of blindness, so early detection is crucial.
UT Southwestern Medical Center’s ophthalmologists use the latest diagnostic technologies to evaluate glaucoma patients. They have vast experience in medically and surgically treating this disease. Ophthalmic surgeons in the Glaucoma Program perform hundreds of surgeries each year; most procedures are completed in about an hour.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that people over 40 be checked for glaucoma every three to five years. Those with the following risk factors should be checked every one to two years: African-Americans; a family history of glaucoma, diabetes or high blood pressure; a serious eye injury in the past; or current use of steroid medications.
Some of the types of glaucoma treated at UT Southwestern include:
- Open-angle glaucoma, which affects the majority of glaucoma patients. Typically, it is a slowly progressing, painless disease.
- Angle-closure glaucoma, which occurs when the fluid drainage apparatus of the eye becomes blocked. It is usually indicated by severe eye pain or headache, blurry vision, haloes around lights and nausea and vomiting. It must be treated immediately or it could result in blindness.
Please visit the Health Library to learn more about glaucoma.
