Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that slowly damage the optic nerve — the bundle of nerve fibers responsible for sending visual signals from the eye to the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), glaucoma affects over 3 million people in the United States — and many aren’t even aware they have it.
If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, the team at Downtown Ophthalmology can help you get on the right track to protect your vision. Our board-certified ophthalmologist and eye surgeon, Akhilesh Singh, MD, specializes in guiding patients through this process and providing ongoing care.
Wondering what comes next? In this post, we share the most important things to know after a glaucoma diagnosis, from treatment options to practical tips for living well with your condition.
Because common forms of glaucoma may not present with any noticeable symptoms in their early stages, a diagnosis can come as a shock. You might feel overwhelmed at first, but this is your chance to take control and stop the disorder from progressing.
In most cases, glaucoma develops due to increased pressure within the eye, usually related to fluid drainage. Over time, this pressure can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve, resulting in progressive vision loss.
However, early diagnosis and treatment greatly reduce the likelihood of blindness. While it’s not possible to restore the vision lost to glaucoma, further damage is preventable.
For most types of glaucoma, treatment aims to prevent the condition from worsening by lowering eye pressure. Depending on your specific diagnosis and the severity of your condition, Dr. Singh may recommend:
Daily medicated eye drops are typically the first line of treatment for early-stage glaucoma. The drops, which include prostaglandins and beta blockers, work by either helping fluid to drain more efficiently or reducing the amount of fluid the eye produces.
Oral medications can be effective as an alternative or in combination with eye drops to manage pressure within the eye.
If eye drops and/or medications aren’t effective or well-tolerated, Dr. Singh may suggest laser therapy or minimally invasive surgery. The goal of these procedures is to create a new pathway for fluid to drain from the eye, relieving pressure.
Taking an active role in your care is essential to prevent vision loss and symptoms like headaches or eye pain. That means staying consistent with your medications and openly communicating any concerns or side effects you may experience.
Since your condition may change over time, even with treatment, regular checkups with Dr. Singh are key to successful long-term management. During these visits, he monitors your eye pressure and vision to make sure your plan is working as it should.
In addition to medical care, certain lifestyle adjustments can support your eye health. Here’s what you can do to help protect your vision and live well with glaucoma:
Dr. Singh also recommends avoiding smoking and tobacco use, as well as limiting your consumption of caffeine and alcohol. These substances can affect blood flow to the optic nerve and may increase eye pressure.
Maintaining your sight and living a fulfilling life with glaucoma is possible. Call or email our Forest Hills, New York, office today to schedule your next eye exam at Downtown Ophthalmology.
