Glaucoma : A Patient's Guide to the Disease

ISBN: 9780802084644 | 0802084648
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 8/1/2001

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Summary

Essential information about glaucoma and its treatment is presented here in a simple question and answer format to allow patients to participate actively in the decision-making process along the road to successful maintenance of their vision.

Preface

xix

I ALL ABOUT GLAUCOMA

What is glaucoma?

(1)

What are the basic parts of the eye?

(2)

What are the names of the different types of glaucoma?

(1)

What is the difference between glaucoma and ocular hypertension?

(1)

My doctor says I am a glaucoma suspect. What does this mean?

(1)

What is normal eye pressure?

(1)

With glaucoma, what happens to the intraocular pressure in the eye?

(1)

Can I develop glaucoma without having an increase in eye pressure?

(1)

How common is glaucoma?

(1)

I see very well and do not wear glasses. How can I have glaucoma?

(1)

Does glaucoma cause blindness?

(1)

Can my children inherit glaucoma from me?

(1)

Is glaucoma contagious?

(1)

Is glaucoma caused by stress?

(1)

What is cupping of the optic nerve?

(1)

My doctor says there is a hemorrhage on my nerve. What does this mean?

(1)

What are the risk factors for glaucoma?

(1)

Does glaucoma cause high blood pressure?

(1)

If my blood pressure is high, will my eye pressure be high?

(1)

Does glaucoma produce eye strain and headaches?

(1)

Should I avoid over-the-counter medications if I have chronic glaucoma?

(1)

Some patients with glaucoma feel pain. Is this common?

(1)

What is the cause of acute glaucoma?

(1)

Does glaucoma cause cataracts?

(1)

Does caffeine make glaucoma worse?

(1)

Will I go blind from glaucoma?

(1)

Can vision deteriorate despite treatment for glaucoma?

(1)

Who diagnoses and treats glaucoma?

(1)

Will my glaucoma ever go away?

(1)

Is any research being done to promote early diagnosis of glaucoma?

(1)

Are there any popular misconceptions about glaucoma?

(1)

In the early stages of glaucoma can I feel pressure in my eye?

(1)

Does glaucoma commonly cause blindness in black North Americans?

(1)

Does emotional stress affect my intraocular pressure?

(1)

Can lack of sleep or emotional stress associated with the visual field test push my pressure up on the day of the eye examination?

(1)

Will changing my diet or taking herbs help my glaucoma?

(1)

Does smoking or drinking alcohol have an impact on my glaucoma?

(1)

My eyes feel gritty and tender. Is this a result of the high pressure from glaucoma?

(1)

Will sexual activity affect my glaucoma?

(1)

Can babies be born with glaucoma?

(1)

How does chronic glaucoma differ from other glaucomas?

(1)

Is eye pressure affected by menopause?

(1)

My distance vision has deteriorated a lot in the past few months. Is this due to glaucoma?

(1)

My eyeball hurts when I read a lot. Does eye strain cause glaucoma?

(1)

Can a blow to the eye cause glaucoma?

(1)

What is pseudoexfoliation?

(1)

What is pigmentary glaucoma?

(1)

What is neovascular glaucoma?

(1)

Can I do anything to help my glaucoma?

(1)

II TESTS FOR GLAUCOMA

How often should I undergo testing for glaucoma?

(1)

Are any of the tests for glaucoma painful?

(1)

Why does my ophthalmologist use drops to enlarge my pupils? Can this damage my eyes?

(1)

Why does my ophthalmologist shine bright lights in my eye at every examination?

(1)

Is the visual field test bad for my eyes?

(1)

Why must I have a visual field test so often?

(1)

Does the field test cause discomfort?

(1)

What is a diurnal tension curve?

(1)

What methods are used to measure pressure?

(1)

What is the yellow dye placed in my eye before a pressure test?

(1)

I have undergone a procedure in which I'm told to lie flat while the specialist puts a metal device on my eye. What is the purpose of this?

(1)

What other methods exist to check pressure?

(1)

I recently underwent scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. What is this?

(1)

Is the scanning laser ophthalmoscope dangerous?

(1)

What are fundus photographs? Why do I need them?

(1)

Will the bright flashes of the photos damage my eyes?

(1)

What is HRT?

(1)

What is the nerve fibre layer analyser?

(1)

What is OCT?

(1)

What is frequency doubling perimetry?

(1)

III ALL ABOUT TREATMENT

Eye Drops

What if I forget to take my eye drops?

(1)

What about side effects from drops? Can they be avoided?

(1)

I use three eye drops. How far apart should I space these drops?

(1)

Does it matter which drop goes in first?

(1)

Do the eye drops cause cataracts?

(1)

Can I miss the occasional eye drop?

(1)

How can I prevent contamination when using eye drops?

(1)

Miotics (Pilocarpine [Isopto® Carpine, Miocarpine™] Carbachol, Phospholine Iodide®)

How to miotics work?

(1)

If my vision is worse with a miotic drop does this mean I am allergic to this drop?

(1)

If my vision is worse with a miotic should I stop using it?

(1)

What are the side effects of Pilocarpine and other miotic eye drops?

(1)

Pilocarpine eye drops give me a headache. Should I stop using them?

(1)

Will I ever be able to stop using my drops?

(1)

Beta Blockers (Timolol [TIMOPTIC®, TIMOPTIC-XE®], Levobunolol [Betagan®], Betaxolol [Betoptic®])

I use a beta blocker. What are they and how do they work?

(1)

I have asthma. Can I use beta blockers?

(1)

Do beta blockers produce any side effects?

(1)

What is TIMPILO®?

(1)

Adrenergic Agents (Epinephrine [Eppy, Epitrate], Propine®, Brimonidine, Iopidine®)

What is ALPHAGAN™?

(1)

What is a C Cap?

(1)

How do Use ALPHAGAN™ eye drops?

(1)

What are some of the side effects of ALPHAGAN™?

(1)

What are the side effects of Propine® and other adrenergic agonist eye drops?

(1)

Do these drugs cause allergic reactions?

(1)

What is Apraclonidine (Iopidine®)?

(1)

What are the side effects from Iopidine®?

(1)

Topical Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

What is Dorzolamide (TRUSOPT®)?

(1)

What is AZOPT™?

(1)

Topical Prostaglandin Agents (XALATAN™ [Latanoprost])

What is XALATAN™?

(1)

How are XALATAN™ eye drops used

(1)

What are some of the side effects of XALATAN™?

(1)

Combination Drops

What is COSOPT®?

(1)

What are some of the side effects of COSOPT®?

(1)

Oral Medications

Can tablets such as Diamox® and Neptazane® help treat my glaucoma, and if so, how?

(1)

Do tablets such as Diamox® and Neptazane® have any side effects?

(1)

Other Medications

Is smoking marijuana beneficial in relation to glaucoma?

(1)

Are there any new medicines being developed for glaucoma?

(1)

Patient Compliance

Is there anything I can do to prevent vision loss?

(1)

I often forget to take my medication. What can I do to improve this?

(1)

Laser Treatment

What is laser trabeculoplasty?

(1)

Does laser treatment cause cataracts?

(1)

Will laser treatment cure my glaucoma?

(1)

What are the dangers of laser trabeculoplasty?

(1)

Does Argon laser trabeculoplasty always work?

(1)

Do I need to continue using my drops after laser treatment?

(1)

Can laser treatment be used alone?

(1)

Why do I need laser treatment if my vision is good?

(1)

What is a laser iridotomy?

(1)

Can laser iridotomy result in a hole that is too large? What are the other complications?

(1)

How long should I stay home from work after laser treatment?

(1)

I have been told I need a ciliary body destructive procedure. What is this?

(1)

Surgery

What kind of surgical treatment is available for glaucoma? How successful is it?

(1)

Does glaucoma surgery cause cataracts?

(1)

Do I need to stay in hospital if I have glaucoma surgery?

(1)

Is surgery painful?

(1)

What happens if I attempt to blink during surgery?

(1)

What happens if I cough during surgery?

(1)

Can I see during the operation?

(1)

Will my eye hurt after surgery?

(1)

What can go wrong during eye surgery?

(1)

What are antifibroblastic agents?

(2)

Is there a role for early surgery in glaucoma?

(1)

What is successful surgery?

(1)

What can go wrong after surgery?

(1)

How will my eye look after surgery?

(1)

My eye feels dry after surgery. Is this normal?

(1)

My eye feels wet since surgery. Is this normal?

(1)

The doctor massaged my eye after surgery. Is this a routine procedure?

(1)

Can high pressure develop after surgery?

(1)

Can surgery produce a soft eye?

(1)

My surgeon says I need a suture cut after glaucoma surgery. Is this necessary?

(1)

Can surgery cause blindness?

(1)

My doctor says I have malignant glaucoma (ciliary block). What is this?

(1)

Since surgery I have noticed a raised white blob under my upper lid. What causes this?

(1)

Do blebs become less effective with time?

(1)

Can blebs cause problems?

(1)

Can blebs cause discomfort?

(1)

My bleb is still present but my pressure is increasing. Is this a problem?

(1)

Can blebs have serious complications?

(1)

How do I know if my bleb is infected?

(1)

Should I take any precautions after my surgery?

(1)

My doctor says I need a Molteno/Ahmed/Baerveldt implant. What is this?

(1)

Are there other forms of surgery?

(2)

IV GLAUCOMA SOCIETIES

In Canada

(1)

In the United States

(1)

In the United Kingdom

(1)

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Glaucoma : A Patient's Guide to the Disease

Summary

Table of Contents

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