Why Glaucoma Screenings Are So Important

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause damage to your optic nerve. The most common form of glaucoma is open-angle, affecting almost 3 million Americans. Here are a few startling statistics about glaucoma: it is the leading cause of blindness, there is no cure, once the damage is done, it can't be reversed, and the most common type presents few, if any, symptoms until damage has occurred.

 That is scary, but there's good news! The sooner you know you have glaucoma, the quicker treatment can begin to save your eyesight. At Dr. Rigney Eye Care + EyeWear in Owasso, our board-certified optometrist can detect changes in your vision that may suggest you are developing glaucoma and can assist you with eye disease management.

Who's at Risk of Glaucoma?

Certain groups are more at risk of developing glaucoma, including those over the age of 40, with a family history of glaucoma, of African American, Hispanic, or Asian descent, with preexisting conditions such as diabetes, extremely high or low blood pressure, thin corneas, myopia, and in rarer cases, those who have had an eye injury.

Screenings

Regular screenings are crucial to check for glaucoma. We monitor your intraocular pressure (IOP) because when it gets high, it starts to damage your optic nerve. The pressure often increases due to poor fluid drainage in your eye. If you are under 40, you should get a screening every three to five years unless you have any risk factors. If you have risk factors, you, like those over 40, should get a screening every year or two.

We use optical coherence tomography to determine your IOP, and if it starts to rise, we have several options available to help reduce it. We usually start with prescription eye drops, which can be effective for many patients. In some cases, if eye drops aren't working well, Dr. Rigney will clear blocked canals or create a new channel for fluid to drain properly.

Contact Dr. Rigney Eye Care + EyeWear in Owasso, OK

Are you looking for an eye doctor near you? If you need to get a screening for glaucoma, come visit us at Dr. Rigney Eye Care + EyeWear in Owasso, OK. Early detection is the key to saving your vision, and glaucoma may only be detected through screenings. Remember, we also offer services for the entire family, including adult and pediatric eye care, laser vision correction, and one-hour eyeglasses.