Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for aging adults. It is often referred to as the “sneak thief of eye sight” because it causes irreversible damage before individuals even experience any symptoms. Glaucoma is a disease which causes damage to the optic nerve, the connection between the eye and the brain. The optic nerve transfers the images we see to the brain to be recognized, translated, and coded. When the optical nerve becomes damaged, the delivery route for the images becomes blocked, preventing the brain from receiving image signals. If the brain does not receive these messages, we can no longer see the image. Damage to the optic nerve thus results in vision loss. Our highly trained staff of Glaucoma Consultants of the Capital Region are here to assist you with your glaucoma needs.
Although the exact cause is unknown, glaucoma is typically associated with an increase in intraocular pressure due to excess fluid in the eye. There are four types of glaucoma, each contributing to a different factor of fluid build-up.
