Glaucoma Specialist
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Eyedrop Optique
Robert Ancona, OD
Optometrist located in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY
Glaucoma is a group of incurable eye conditions that affect more than 2.7 million Americans 40 and older, and one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60. Get expert care and treatment from the team at Eyedrop Optique in Dumbo, Brooklyn, New York, led by experienced optometrist Robert Ancona, OD. Although treatment can’t restore vision loss caused by damage to the optic nerve, early detection and treatment can prevent further vision loss. Call the office or schedule your consultation for glaucoma treatment today.
Glaucoma Q & A
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name for a collection of serious eye disorders typically characterized by high pressure in the eyeball, which progressively damages the optic nerve. If left unchecked, glaucoma can lead to vision loss.
There are two basic categories of glaucoma:
Open-angle glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disorder, making up about 90% of all glaucoma cases. This type of glaucoma develops gradually over time and unfortunately doesn’t have any outlying symptoms in the early stages. In these cases of glaucoma, the fluid in the eye doesn’t drain normally.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Also known as chronic glaucoma, this more rare form of the disorder represents about 10% of all glaucoma cases. With this form of glaucoma, the passage in the eye where drainage happens is narrowed and ultimately becomes blocked.
Can my eye doctor test for glaucoma?
Dr. Ancona can do a variety of tests to detect glaucoma. During a comprehensive eye exam, he may perform a procedure known as tonometry. To begin the procedure, Dr. Ancona puts drops in your eyes to numb them. He’ll then use the tip of a tool to measure the IOP or intraocular pressure, the pressure in the fluid of your eye. A normal range for IOP is 10-20 mm Hg.
Can anyone develop glaucoma?
Glaucoma can happen to anyone, however, there are risk factors that can make patients more likely to develop glaucoma. The most notable risk factor is having high pressure inside your eyeball.
Other risk factors include:
Age
People over the age of 60 are 6-8 times more likely to develop glaucoma.
Heredity
If immediate family members have had glaucoma, you are 4-9 times more likely to develop it as well.
Being African-American and 40 or older
People in this group are 4-5 times more likely to develop glaucoma than the general population.
Recent studies report that people of Hispanic (Latino) and Asian heritage are also at higher risk of developing glaucoma than the general population.
Glaucoma testing is an important part of your preventive vision and eye care. Eyedrop Optique in Dumbo, Brooklyn, New York, is a premier center for all your eye care needs. Book an appointment online or call today.
