Glaucoma ? What Is It
and Who Is At Risk? ^
By Dr. Donald J. Bergin, MD, FACS,
FAAO
To understand exactly what glaucoma
is, it is best to explain a little about the eye
itself. The eye continually makes fluid
behind the iris (the colored part of the eye).
inside the eye that can damage the optic
nerve, which is in the back of the eye. It is
the optic nerve that carries all the visual
information (everything vou see) to the
brain. If glaucoma is not treated, the end
result may be blindness.
There are two main types of glaucoma.
The acute type of glaucoma is caused by the
iris of the eye suddenly blocking the
drainage of fluid from the eye This sudden
increase in pressure results in severe pain,
haloa around lights, and decreased vision.
A much more common type is chronic
glaucoma in which increased eye pressure
slowly and painlessly results in loss of side
vision, and if not treated, may lead to total
Ipss of vision .
This fluid drains through
a meshwork that circles
the inside of the eye in
front of the iris.
Glaucoma is an eye
disease that occurs when
this fluid is prevented by
a blockage from draining
from the eye. This results
in pressure building up
How Do I Know If I Have Glaucoma?
The best defense against glaucoma is a
periodic dilated eye examination. This pain
less examination includes checking pressure
in the eye and examining the S^tic nerve in
the back of the eye. Your doctor may also
check your field of vision to see if any blind
spots are present which can be caused by
glaucoma.
Some Facts You Should Know
about Glaucoma:
? Glaucoma is the leading cause of
blindness in the United States and occurs at
any age.
? Vision threatening glaucoma can be
present without any visual symptoms at all.
? Most cases of blindness due to glau
coma could be prevented if detected and
treated early.
? If you are over 40, you should have a
dilated eye examination at least once every
two years. Early diagnosis and treatment are
essential for arresting the decline and loss of
vision.
Who Is At Risk?
People of all ages have glaucoma.
However, it occurs more frequently in peo
ple who:
? Are over 40
? Have a family history of glaucoma
? Are African American
? Are nearsighted
? Have general health problems like
diabetes or hardening of the arteries.
The Road To A Clearer World
Without the Hassle
By Freda Springs
Public Relations Manager - Carolina Mcdicorp
Life would be relatively uncomplicated
if it was not for the morning ritual of blindly
groping for glasses to read the alarm clock
or a projectile to end the clock's infernal
racket. It would be blissful indeed upon the
invention of self -cleaning contact lenses and
eyeglasses equipped with windshield wipers.
Yes, the life of the myopic is less than
perfect, but where nature has failed, modern
surgical technique may provide the answer
for people who suffer from moderate near
sightedness and astigmatism.
Armed with a diamond blade and a
recipe based on age and degree of nature's
imperfection, and given about 15 minute# of
your time in his chair, a trained eye surgeon
can turn 20/800 vision into 20/40 vision -
legal driving vision - or better.
The technology is called radial and
astigmatic keratotomy and today, surgeons
are getting consistent results on patients
using the refined procedure.
**The instruments and equipment used
today are light years ahead of what they
were even five years ago," Dr. Gregory
Temas said, an ophthalmic surgeon at
Forsyth Memorial Hospital. "Radial kerato
tomy is predictable and safe in the hands of
a trained refractive surgeon.**
Keratotomy is fast and relatively pau*
leii. Patients are thoroughly examined
before surgery, and are instructed to stop
wearing hard contact lenses three weeks and
soft contact lenses three days before the
surgery.
Surgery is performed on one eye during
the visit, and surgery for the second eye can
be done the following week.
"Studies have shown that the complica
tion rate for keratotomy is less than cataract
surgery which is considered one of the most
successful procedures in this country,** Dr.
Temas said. "The risk of infection after
surgery is less than the risk of infection from
wearing soft contact lenses.**
According to Dr. Temas, the best candi
dates for the surgery are people over age
21, who have small to moderate amounts of
nearsightedness, have problems wearing
contacts and/or glasses interfering with their
lifestyle, and have generally healthy eyes.
"Even people who were left with a lot
of astigmatism or nearsightedness and peo
ple after cataract surgery or corneal trans
plant may be candidates for keratotomy," he
said. "If you have uncontrolled glaucoma or
severe nearsightedness, you are not a good
candidate.**
Dr. Temas said, "Keratotomy probably
won't make corrective lenses obsolete, but it
is a stepping stone to improvements in eye
surgery. It's the first step on the ladder to the
ultimate goal of 20/20 vision without correc
tive lenses for everyone.**
- We think allowing you to return to
your normal activities just hours
after "No-Stitch" cataract surgery
is a great idea. Thats why we started
doing it 2-1/2 years ago.
7/ I had five more ryes with cataracts
I wouldn't go anywhere else hut to Dr
t pes ai Southeastern for surgery I feel
like I'm in a whole new world and I
can't believe I'm seeing the beauty of
nature again If you need cataract
surgery go as fast as you can to
Southeastern because you won't
believe the Vaurv of seeing again
Mary Fridge n
HarrtUs, NC
.Dr. Richard Epes has performed
over 45.000 cataract with lens
implant surgeries, including over
10.060 of the revolutionary
"No-Stitch" procedures in the past
2-1/2 years.
"No-Stitch" cataract with lens
implant surgery usually takes less
than seven mimnes to perform and
allows you to return to your normal
activities, without a patch, just hours
after surgery.
Remember: If you're not sure who
to trust, always trust your eyes to
experience. Call Southeastern Eye
Center today.
Ttu?t Your Eyes lb Experience.
o Southeastern Etye Center.
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oar office 00 Healy Dr. or Dr. Barry Bamaey la tbo Old Towa Bboppiaf Ceater la
Wlv atoa-Salem. Dr. Steve Laymoa la the Bermuda Qaay Shopping Ceater. Dr. Jeff
Gaiber la KereerariDe or at oar Lexiaftoa or TadkiavtBe office*.
HERS
Heart & Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study
We are looking for women who
have heart disease to participate in
a new study ? one of the first
national studies for and about
women with heart disease.
The Section on Cardiology of "the Bowman
Gray School of Medicine. Wake Forest Univer
sity, is one of 15 centers across the country con
ducting this vital research on post-menopausal
women with heart disease. This study will test
whether or not a combination of hormone replace
ment will be helpful to women with heart disease.
If you are past menopause, have coronary heart
disease, and are interested in helping with this
research, please call:
(919) 716-9359 SS