Glaucoma Center - Altoona, PA
Altoona Eye Doctor Doctors for GlaucomaType of Physician: Eye Doctor What is a Eye Doctor? A certification by the Board of Ophthalmology; practitioners provide comprehensive eye and vision care. They are trained to diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all eyelid and orbital problems affecting the eye and visual pathways, and to diagnose, monitor and treat all eye and visual disorders. They often prescribe vision services (glasses and contact lenses) as well as serve as a consultant to physicians and other professionals. Specialty: Ophthalmology Common Name: Eye Doctor Eye Doctor Doctors in Altoona * Richard D Capriotti MD  Altoona Ophthalmology Associates  Altoona Ophthalmology Associates  Altoona Ophthalmology Associates  Altoona Ophthalmology Associates  Jones & Jones MDs  Jones & Jones MDs  Jeffrey L Heimer MD  David C Zeigler MD  Christopher J Patitsas MD  Katherine C Erlichman DO  Vittone Eye Associates  Vittone Eye Associates  Arthur S Krell MD  D R Carusi MD  Ophthalmic Associates  Ophthalmic Associates  Ophthalmic Associates  Ophthalmic Associates  Ophthalmic Associates  Ophthalmic Associates  Central Pennsylvania Eye Institute  Werner Eye Associates PC  Fabre & Smith MDs  Fabre & Smith MDs  Bonny L Beck MD  Stephen R Griebel MD  James Nesper MD  Thomas C Trevorrow MD  Alan D Gordon MD PC  Iraj Shariat MD  Geisinger Medical Group Lewistown  Luis Lu MD  Fry-Brannac Ophthalmology Associates  Ludwick Eye Center  Fry-Brannac Ophthalmology Associates  Ludwick Eye Center  James C Kiskaddon MD  Laurel Eye Clinic  Laurel Eye Clinic  Laurel Eye Clinic  Patrick T Lally MD  Susquehanna Eye Associates  Susquehanna Eye Associates  Hartman Ophthalmic Associates  Hartman Ophthalmic Associates  Associates In Ophthalmology  Luna Vision  Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association  Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association  Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association  Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association  Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association  Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association  Jerome A Peters MD  Genovese Ophthalmic Associates  Genovese Ophthalmic Associates  Glaucoma-Cataract Consultants Inc  Hartzell Eye MDs  Stoken Ophthalmology  Horizon Eye Care Group  Eye Center of Central Pennsylvania  Eye Center of Central Pennsylvania  Allegheny Ophthalmology Associates  Allegheny Ophthalmology Associates  Lawrence C Wei MD  Drs Caputo & Hanna  Drs Caputo & Hanna  Schein Ernst Eye Associates  Schein Ernst Eye Associates  Christianne A Schoedel MD  Associates In Ophthalmology  Robinson Eye Center & Advanced Ophthalmology East  East Suburban Ophthalmic Associates  East Suburban Ophthalmic Associates  East Suburban Ophthalmic Associates  East Suburban Ophthalmic Associates  Valley Eye Associates  J R Browning MD  Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association  Armesto Eye Associates  Peter J Sakol MD LLC  Norman Edelstein MD  Barry D Moskowitz MD  Associated Eye Physicians & Surgeons  Associated Eye Physicians & Surgeons Altoona, PennsylvaniaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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GlaucomaWhat is glaucoma?Glaucoma is a disease of the major nerve of vision, called the optic nerve. The optic nerve receives light-generated nerve impulses from the retina and transmits these to the brain, where we recognize those electrical signals as vision. Glaucoma is characterized by a particular pattern of progressive damage to the optic nerve that generally begins with a subtle loss of side vision (peripheral vision). If glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can progress to loss of central vision and blindness. Glaucoma is usually, but not always, associated with elevated pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure). Generally, it is this elevated eye pressure that leads to damage of the eye (optic) nerve. In some cases, glaucoma may occur in the presence of normal eye pressure. This form of glaucoma is believed to be caused by poor regulation of blood flow to the optic nerve.
How common is glaucoma?Worldwide, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. In fact, as many as 6 million individuals are blind in both eyes from this disease. In the United States alone, according to one estimate, over 3 million people have glaucoma. As many as half of the individuals with glaucoma, however, may not know that they have the disease. The reason they are unaware is that glaucoma initially causes no symptoms, and the subsequent loss of side vision (peripheral vision) is usually not recognized.
What causes glaucoma?Elevated pressure in the eye is the main factor leading to glaucomatous damage to the eye (optic) nerve. Glaucoma with normal intraocular pressure is discussed below in the section on the different types of glaucoma. The optic nerve, which is located in back of the eye, is the main visual nerve for the eye. This nerve transmits the images we see back to the brain for interpretation. The eye is firm and round, like a basketball. Its tone and shape are ... Recommended Reading Related to GlaucomaDisease prevention in women overviewScreening tests are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere. Take an active role and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. The following charts are beneficial (generally simple and safe) screening tests that can help detect diseases and conditions before they become harmful. OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a condition with progressive loss of bone density leading to bone fractures. Estrogen is important in maintaining bone density. When estrogen levels drop after menopause, bone loss accelerates. Thus osteoporosis is most common among postmenopausal women. Screening testsMeasurement of bone density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan DEXA bone density scanning can:
Other Related Glaucoma ArticlesEmergency Contact for Altoona
Nearby Altoona Hospitals *Altoona Regional Health System Bon Secours Hospital Campus Altoona Regional Hospital James E Van Zandt VA Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Altoona Rehabilitation Hospital Nason Hospital Tyrone Hospital Miners Medical Center J C Blair Memorial Hospital Windber Medical Center Crichton Rehabilitation Center Memorial Medical Center Lee Campus Good Samaritan Medical Center Memorial Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Johnstown UPMC Bedford Memorial Mount Nittany Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Glaucoma by Our Doctors
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
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Myopia
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Disease Prevention in Women
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Disease Prevention in Men
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Farsightedness
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