Eye Conditions

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the major causes of blindness in America. It is not a single disease but rather a group of conditions that have different causes, manifestations, and treatments. What ties these conditions together is an increased pressure inside the eye (elevated intraocular pressure) that causes the death of retinal nerve cells and thereby produces blindness.

Signs and Symptoms

• Eyes may tear a lot
• Cornea may become "steamy" producing blurred vision and rainbows or halos around lights
• Pain in or around the eye
• Occasionally nausea and vomiting
• Vision loss

Treatments and Prevention

• Eyedrops that make the pupil small (Miotics)
• Liquids taken orally or intravenously that shrink the volume of the eye and thereby decrease the intraocular pressure
• Making a hole through the iris (Iridectomy)
  

UIC Specialists
Thasarat Vajaranant, MD
David Hillman, MD
Jacob Wilensky, MD

Treatment Clinic/Service
Glaucoma Service

Eye Facts Article
Glaucoma

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.