Glaucoma Center - Blacksburg, VA
Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg * David J Hedges MD  Daniel Drysdale MD  NRV Eye Center  J Stephen Hudgins MD  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Eye Care & Surgery  Eye Care & Surgery  Eye Care & Surgery  New River Valley Eye Center  Lewis-Gale Physicians Ophthalmology  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Lewis-Gale Clinic Valley View Medical Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Blue Ridge Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Vistar Eye Center  Sankar Mays & Butler MDs  Sankar Mays & Butler MDs  Sankar Mays & Butler MDs  Eye Physicians Martinsville  Eye Physicians Martinsville  Woodroof Eye Center  William W Mears MD  Eye Physicians Optical Center  Piedmont Regional Eye Center  Shaw Laser Eye  Dominion Eye Center  Dominion Eye Center  Dominion Eye Center  Danville Eye Center  Piedmont Eye Center  Piedmont Eye Center  Piedmont Eye Center  Piedmont Eye Center  Piedmont Eye Center  Piedmont Eye Center Blacksburg, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-28
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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 Blacksburg
Nearby Blacksburg Hospitals *Montgomery Regional Hospital Carilion New River Valley Medical Center Carilion Saint Albans Behavioral Health Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital Mount Regis Center Catawba Hospital Lewis-Gale Medical Center Salem VA Medical Center Pulaski Community Hospital Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital Carilion Franklin Memorial 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. |
Suggested Reading on Glaucoma by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Headache
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
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Retinal Detachment
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Marfan Syndrome
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Blindness
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Shingles and Pregnancy
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Iritis
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Diabetes and Eye Problems
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Black Eye
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Scleritis
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Myopia
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Coats' Disease
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Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome
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Disease Prevention in Women
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Disease Prevention in Men
- Disease prevention in men includes routine screening tests that are part of basic prevention medicine. Take an active role in your own health care and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. Age of screening and timing of screening depends upon the condition being assessed.
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Farsightedness
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