Glaucoma – By Duane M. Bryant, M.D.

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Glaucoma  By Duane M. Bryant, M.D.
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Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. That is
the Optic nerve carries the images from the eye
to the brain. There is a high prevalance of
Glaucoma in the African American and Latino
population. It is the leading cause of blindness
for African-Americans. Glaucoma has been called
the Sneak Thief of Sight because in its most
common form it has no symptoms no blurred
vision, no pain, no redness or swelling. People
with glaucoma can go a long time with the disease
and not know that anything is wrong until it is
very late in the disease process. Elevated
pressure in the eye is the hallmark of glaucoma.
There is fluid that is made in the eye that
builds up because it can not get out through the
internal drainage channels of the eye. Therefore,
the pressure becomes elevated. This pressure
slowly causes the death of nerve cells in the
optic nerve, leading to loss of vision. Early
diagnosis and treatment are essential in the
prevention of visual loss due to glaucoma.
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• There are different categories of glaucoma
• Open Angle This is the most common form of
  glaucoma which does damage slowly and silently.
• Narrow Angle This can also be a silent type of
  glaucoma or it can present as an acute closed
  angle attack which is characterized by blurred
  vision, pain, redness, and headache and even
  vomiting.
• Secondary Glaucoma This can develop following
  an eye injury, from disease and even from some
  medications such as Prednisone.
• Congenital Glaucoma This occurs when there is
  high pressure in the eye even at birth, causing
  visual loss.
• The treatment of glaucoma involves drop therapy,
  laser (SLT, LPI, ECP, YAG CP), and filtering
  surgery.

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Treatments and Additional Information Selective
Laser Trabeculoplasty For patients who have open
angle glaucoma, Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
(SLT) is used to open the drainage system in
these patientsso that the internal drainage
system of the eye functions better. In that way,
the pressure is then lowered in the eye. This
procedure is effective in 75 of
patients.  Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) For
patients with narrow angle glaucoma, a small hole
is placed in the iris to open up the angle
between the iris and the cornea to facilitate
fluid drainage. Nd YAG Laser Cyclophotocoagulati
on NeodymiumYAG Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (YAG
CP) is for patients with very severe glaucoma
damage where all other procedures have failed.
 The ciliary body that produces the fluid inside
the eye is destroyed. Endocyclophotocoagulation
(ECP) For patients who are having cataract
surgery and have glaucoma as well. This laser is
applied to the ciliary processes (the area where
the fluid is made in the eye) so that fluid
production is slowed down. This in turn, lowers
the pressure inside the eye.
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• Author Bio
• Duane M Bryant laser surgeon
•  Dr. Duane M. Bryant, M.D. is an
  experienced ophthalmologist in Ganton Green,
  Woodstock.  He is a comprehensive ophthalmologist
  and has been serving the community for over 30
  years. Dr. Bryant also does expert witness work,
  medical peer reviews and independent medical
  exams.
• See More http//duanebryantmd.com/
• Contact Us on Address
• 2100 Ganton Green, B-203 Woodstock, MD 21163
• Phone and Fax
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