with early detection and treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss.
Early Glaucoma Detection Preserves Vision
By Lindsey Getz
Aging Well
Vol. 5 No. 4 P. 22
The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, says L. Jay Katz, MD, director of glaucoma service at Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia. “This is a very slow and insidious condition in which patients won’t be aware they have a problem because there are no recognizable symptoms until a significant amount of vision has already been lost,” he says. “It’s very important to catch these patients very early. How can we do that? The nonophthalmologist, such as the primary care physician, can play a critical role. They often look at the optic nerve as part of their routine exam. If the physician notices a difference between the two eyes or that the patient has what’s called a large ‘cup,’ then they should make sure the patient goes to see an eye doctor. It can truly be a matter of saving the patient’s vision.”
By Lindsey Getz
Aging Well
Vol. 5 No. 4 P. 22
The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, says L. Jay Katz, MD, director of glaucoma service at Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia. “This is a very slow and insidious condition in which patients won’t be aware they have a problem because there are no recognizable symptoms until a significant amount of vision has already been lost,” he says. “It’s very important to catch these patients very early. How can we do that? The nonophthalmologist, such as the primary care physician, can play a critical role. They often look at the optic nerve as part of their routine exam. If the physician notices a difference between the two eyes or that the patient has what’s called a large ‘cup,’ then they should make sure the patient goes to see an eye doctor. It can truly be a matter of saving the patient’s vision.”
Glaucoma is not just a disease your grandmother has.
It can happen to anyone.
It can happen to anyone.