Glaucoma

What do you need to know about

Glaucoma

What Is Glaucoma? What Are the Consequences? How Is It Treated?

Important Information from

RealEyes Optical in Great Neck

Statistics indicate that about three million people around the world suffer from glaucoma, a potentially serious condition that, if not properly treated, can lead to blindness. As the second-leading cause of loss of vision worldwide (behind cataracts), glaucoma has no known cure, but can typically be prevented, if caught early. Unfortunately, because glaucoma has no clearly identifiable symptoms in its early stages, many people with mild glaucoma don’t know that they have it.

At RealEyes Optical

A Unique approach to your Vision

At RealEyes Optical, we can help you determine if you are experiencing the early indications of glaucoma. We have an experienced optometrist on staff, who can conduct the appropriate eye exam and administer the right tests to diagnose glaucoma.

At RealEyes Optical, we take a unique approach to your vision. We consider every patient a part of our extended family. When you visit our store, you won’t be treated like a customer—you’ll be treated like a friend or family member. We’ll take the time to really get to know you and to carefully assess your vision needs. We offer a wide selection of luxury frames to fit your personal style and will always ensure a perfect fit. For the RealEyes Optical experience, call us at 516-488-4434, send us an email, or stop by our store (affectionately referred to by many of our patients as our “living room.”)

At RealEyes Optical

A Unique approach to your Vision

At RealEyes Optical, we can help you determine if you are experiencing the early indications of glaucoma. We have an experienced optometrist on staff, who can conduct the appropriate eye exam and administer the right tests to diagnose glaucoma.

At RealEyes Optical, we take a unique approach to your vision. We consider every patient a part of our extended family. When you visit our store, you won’t be treated like a customer—you’ll be treated like a friend or family member. We’ll take the time to really get to know you and to carefully assess your vision needs. We offer a wide selection of luxury frames to fit your personal style and will always ensure a perfect fit. For the RealEyes Optical experience, call us at 516-488-4434, send us an email, or stop by our store (affectionately referred to by many of our patients as our “living room.”)

Glaucoma FAQs

What Is Glaucoma?

A group of eye conditions that can adversely affect your optic nerve. Glaucoma takes two forms:

Open-angle glaucoma (the most common, found in about nine of every ten diagnosed cases)
Closed (or acute)-angle glaucoma

With both forms of glaucoma, the primary concern is excessive pressure in the eye, which originally causes loss of peripheral vision, but can also lead to total blindness. Open-angle glaucoma is chronic, but gradual, whereas closed/acute-angle glaucoma is typically sudden and severe. The conditions causing closed/acute-angle glaucoma, if not immediately treated, can result in total loss of vision in a matter of days.

What Causes Glaucoma?

Glaucoma stems from too much intra-ocular pressure, which is frequently a hereditary condition, but may also be the result of eye trauma.

What Are the Potential Consequences of Glaucoma?

If not treated in its early stages, glaucoma can cause partial or total loss of vision.

How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

While some of the symptoms of glaucoma may be observed during a basic eye exam, it is most accurately identified through the administration of specific tests, such as measurement of eye pressure, corneal thickness or vision loss.

How Is Glaucoma Treated?

Because many people who suffer from glaucoma have challenges adjusting from dark to light conditions, or from reduced contrast in their vision, sunglasses or transition lenses can be helpful. There are currently no corrective lenses to treat glaucoma. Eye drops can be used to reduce intra-ocular pressure and there’s evidence that exercise can also lower eye pressure. Accordingly, one of the most important ways to minimize the potential impact of glaucoma is through regular eye exams, so that symptoms can be identified early.

Effective Diagnosis and Treatment

of Conditions Affecting Your Eyes

Click on the boxes above to learn more about these eye afflictions—what they are, how they are diagnosed and treated, and how you can recognize the early warning signs.