Glaucoma Center - Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill * UNC Department of Ophthalmology  UNC Department of Ophthalmology  UNC Department of Ophthalmology  UNC Department of Ophthalmology  Kitner Eye Center  UNC Department of Ophthalmology  UNC Department of Ophthalmology  UNC Department of Ophthalmology  Chapel Hill Ophthalmology  Chapel Hill Ophthalmology  Chapel Hill Ophthalmology  AFOPF  Carolina Ophthalmology Associates PA  Carolina Ophthalmology Associates PA  Alamance Eye Center PA  Eye Institute of North Carolina PC  Duke Medical Eye Center Pediatric Ophthalmology  Duke Medical Eye Center Pediatric Ophthalmology  Duke Medical Eye Center Pediatric Ophthalmology  Duke Medical Eye Center Pediatric Ophthalmology  Duke Medical Eye Center Pediatric Ophthalmology  Duke Medical Eye Center Pediatric Ophthalmology  R Rand Allingham MD  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center Ophthalmology  Duke Eye Center Ophthalmology  Duke Eye Center  Park Ophthalmology  Park Ophthalmology  Duke University Eye Ctr  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  David L Epstein MD  Duke University Medical Center Ophthalmology  Duke Eye Center  Duke University Medical Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  Duke Eye Center  J Stuart McCracken MD  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat PA  Laser Eye Center of Carolina  Kelly Eye Center  Wake Ophthalmology  Wake Ophthalmology  Wake Ophthalmology  Duke Eye Center of Cary  Western Wake Eye Center PA  Western Wake Eye Center PA  Vista Care Optometry  Cary Carolina Retna  Raleigh Ophthalmology  Raleigh Ophthalmology  Raleigh Ophthalmology  Triangle Eye Physicians PA  Southern Eye Associates  Southern Eye Associates  Raleigh Ophthalmology  Raleigh Ophthalmology  Raleigh Ophthalmology  Raleigh Ophthalmology  Raleigh Ophthalmology  Triangle Eye Physicians PA  Retina Associates PC  Rexwoods Eye Center  Doctors Vision Center  All About Aesthetics PC  H Royster Chamblee Jr. MD  Fuquay Ophthalmology & Glaucoma  Capital Eye Center  Walton K Joyner MD  Raleigh Eye Center PA  Raleigh Eye Center PA  Carolina Cataract & Laser Center  Raleigh Eye Center PA  Raleigh Eye Center PA  Raleigh Eye Center PA  Raleigh Eye Center PA  Lowry & McCormick Ophthalmology  Lowry & McCormick Ophthalmology  Taylor Vitreoretinal Center  Alamance Eye Center PA  Alamance Eye Center PA  Alamance Eye Center PA Chapel Hill, North CarolinaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Chapel Hill
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Suggested Reading on Glaucoma by Our Doctors
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Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
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Blindness
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Diabetes and Eye Problems
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Scleritis
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Myopia
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Coats' Disease
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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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