Glaucoma Center - Ames, IA
Ames 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 Ames * McFarland Clinic Ophthalmology  McFarland Clinic Ophthalmology  McFarland Clinic Ophthalmology  McFarland Clinic Ophthalmology  VA Medical Center Des Moines  Eye Health Physicians PC  Eye Health Physicians PC  Des Moines Retina Assoc PLC  Chris Den Ouden DO  Associated Ophthalmologists PC  Associated Ophthalmologists PC  Associated Ophthalmologists PC  Downtown Eye Care  Physicians Eye Clinic  Des Moines University Clinic  Physicians Eye Clinic  Physicians Eye Clinic  Physicians Eye Clinic  Iowa Retina Consultants  Iowa Retina Consultants  Iowa Retina Consultants  Iowa Retina Consultants  Children's Eye Clinic  Children's Eye Clinic  Des Moines Eye Surgeons  Des Moines Eye Surgeons  Des Moines Eye Surgeons  Des Moines Eye Surgeons  North Iowa Eye Clinic PC  North Iowa Eye Clinic PC  North Iowa Eye Clinic PC  North Iowa Eye Clinic PC  North Iowa Eye Clinic PC  Lou Ann Lease MD  Mauer Eye Center  Iowa Eye Clinic  Iowa Eye Clinic Ames, IowaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Ames
Nearby Ames Hospitals *Mary Greeley Medical Center Story County Medical Center Boone County Hospital VA Central Iowa Health Care Des Moines Dallas County Hospital Broadlawns Medical Center Mercy Franklin Center Iowa Lutheran Hospital Mercy Medical Center Des Moines Blank Children's Hospital Iowa Methodist Medical Center Hamilton Hospital 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. |
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