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Sinai > Sinai Medical Services > Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai > Our Services > Glaucoma Glaucoma

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 LifeBridge Health Krieger Eye Institute 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.

Glaucoma Diseases That We Treat

• Open-angle glaucoma
• Normal tension glaucoma
• Narrow-angle Glaucoma
• Acute angle-closure Glaucoma
• 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 LifeBridge Health Krieger Eye Institute Can Help

While glaucoma can't be cured, it can usually be treated. At the LifeBridge Health Krieger Eye Institute 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 LifeBridge Health Krieger Eye Institute 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. Donald Abrams and Dr. Anthony Castlebuono also perform surgical procedures to treat glacial (trabeculectomy), along with glaucoma valve implants to relieve pressure on the eye.

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 LifeBridge Health Krieger Eye Institute 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.

People at a higher risk for glaucoma should have their eyes examined through dilated pupils every two years.