Glaucoma  is the leading cause of blindness in the United States.  Nearly three million people have some form of it.  Fortunately, if detected early, glaucoma can usually be controlled. At the Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai, we have every treatment currently available in the world for glaucoma -- and many sophisticated screening tests as well. There's no better center for diagnosing and treating glaucoma.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is actually a group of eye diseases that are often caused by increased pressure inside the eye. Unless the pressure is controlled, it can cause damage to the optic nerve and a loss of vision.

In the early stages, it's difficult to determine whether you have glaucoma ; it's virtually symptom-free. As the disease progresses, your side vision may begin to fade. Left untreated, the field of vision will continue to narrow and blindness results.

Click here to learn more about the different types of Glaucoma in our 3D Eye Library

Glaucoma Diseases That We Treat

• Open-angle glaucoma
• Normal tension glaucoma
• Narrow-angle Glaucoma
• Acute angle-closure Ggaucoma
• Chronic angle-closure glaucoma
• Glaucoma of Childhood
• Congenital (Infantile Glaucoma)
• Juvenile Glaucoma
• Aniridia and Glaucoma
• Glaucoma after cataract extraction
• Secondary glaucomas:
• Pigment Dispersion and Glaucoma
• Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma
• Glaucoma secondary to Uveitis
• Glaucoma following trauma (Traumatic Glaucoma)
  

The Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai can help

While glaucoma can't be cured, it can usually be treated. At the Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai, we cover all aspects of the disease--from screenings to surgical procedures. We also participate in research and national studies, to stay on the forefront of treatment.

Treatments for glaucoma

Medications -- in the form of eyedrops or pills -- are the most common early treatment for glaucoma. Some cause the eye to create less fluid. Others lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye.  In addition, laser surgery helps fluid drain out of the eye.

The Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai has three types of laser treatment, all done here at our office. For the most common type of glaucoma (open angle, about 80% of all glaucoma cases) we use an argon laser. We use a YAG laser for angle closure glaucoma, and a diode laser for end-stage glaucoma.

Dr. Abrams and Dr. Castlebuono also perform surgical procedures to treat glacoma (trabeculectomy), along with glaucoma valve implants to relieve pressure on the eye.

Click here to learn more about the Treatment of Glaucoma in our 3D Eye Library

Who's at risk?

The best way to protect yourself is to be aware of your risk and to make sure you have a comprehensive screening regularly. People with higher risk for glaucoma include:

• Those with family history of glaucoma
• African-Americans over the age of 40
• Anyone with elevated eye pressure
• Anyone over the age of 60 (the older you are, the more you are at risk).

The Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai has sophisticated diagnostic tests. We assess your visual field using both computerized and manual tests, ophthalmic photography (photos of the optic nerve) and nerve fiber layer photography with a digital system.

Click Here to Learn More about Glaucoma in the 3D Eye Library

For appointments and more information

People at a higher risk for glaucoma should have their eyes examined through dilated pupils every two years. For a complete eye exam, call 410-601-6480, or 410-601-5900 .

Department of Ophthalmology
The Krieger Eye Institute Sinai Medical Office Bldg., 6th Floor
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
2411 W. Belvedere Ave
Baltimore, MD 21215