Glaucoma Center
Adam Dossey is the area's only fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist. Heaton Eye Associates strives to provide the most advanced vision care in the East Texas area. You can come to one place for all your vision needs.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease typified by optic nerve damage that produces a characteristic peripheral vision loss and is usually associated with higher than "normal" intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is often referred to as a "silent thief of sight". It is estimated that the disease affects over 4 million Americans with only half of affected people knowing that they have the disease.
The disease is the 2nd leading cause of blindness in the world. However, if caught early the disease is effectively treated.
It is estimated that glaucoma affects one in every 50 adults. Although glaucoma can occur at any age, the risk of developing glaucoma increases dramatically after age 35.
Glaucoma is actually a series of diseases that damage the optic nerve. Damage to the optic nerve and retina causes blind spots in the field of vision. Glaucoma is usually caused by an increase in the fluid pressure in the eye, either because of overproduction of fluid or from blockage in the drainage system of the eye. The higher pressure inside the eye causes damage to the optic nerve, resulting in permanent vision loss.
The early symptoms of chronic open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma, are often unnoticed because there is no discomfort or pain. Most people do not detect a change in their vision until there has actually been a significant loss of vision. Later, central vision becomes affected, with mild headaches and difficulty with night vision. If left untreated, total blindness will result. However, the patient with acute closed-angle glaucoma may experience more noticeable symptoms including blurred vision, severe pain, nausea, and halos around lights.
In most cases, glaucoma is detected in a routine eye examination. Special instruments are used to check the fluid pressure in the eye, and a magnifying lens is used to examine the drainage channels for proper fluid outflow.
With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can almost always be controlled and vision preserved. Sadly, glaucoma cannot be cured and once vision is lost it cannot be restored.
Remember, vision loss from glaucoma is permanent, but can usually be prevented with early detection and treatment. Regular eye exams are especially important for people over 35, or those in other high risk groups.
News&Events
- Heaton Eye Associates has full service Optical Shops in our Longview and Henderson locations. Come by and see all the latest in eyewear!
- All-Laser LASIK from Heaton Eye Associates is the perfect graduation gift! Send them off into the world without the hassle of contacts and glasses.
- Did you know that Dr. Jeff Hunter is the ONLY Board Certified, Fellowship Trained Pediatric and Strabismus specialist in East Texas? Let us help care for your child's vision.
