Glaucoma: many of us have heard the term but few are fully aware of the potential devastation this disease can cause if not detected and treated soon enough. “But I had the puff of air test at my last vision check and my pressure is fine.” True, elevated eye pressure is one of the leading risk factors for glaucoma, but did you know that 30% of patients with glaucoma have normal pressure readings? So, if relying solely on a pressure check and ‘vision’ exam, many cases of glaucoma are completely missed.

Alright, so what’s the big deal with Glaucoma anyway? Well for starters, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss (irreversible, meaning glasses, surgery, or contact lenses will not get your sight back!). Glaucoma is also called the “sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms – you do not feel increased pressure inside of your eye, and more than 40% of your side vision would need to be lost before being aware of anything different.

So now for the good news: a quality comprehensive dilated eye exam, like one performed by Dr. Racoma, is the only thing needed to determine your risk for glaucoma. While providing a concierge-like experience, Dr. Racoma thoroughly tests for all forms of glaucoma. In addition to measuring eye pressure (and no, we don’t use the annoying puff of air!), Dr. Racoma examines the drainage structure of the eye (to rule out a type of glaucoma called Narrow Angle Glaucoma), she assesses peripheral vision using the latest digital technology, and finally she accurately examines the optic nerve through dilated pupils in addition to using the latest in digital nerve scans.

Don’t be blind-sided by Glaucoma! Make 2018 your year to ensure complete eye health 😊