Glaucoma Center - Rio Rancho, NM
Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho * New Mexico Eye Clinic  Stephen C Coleman MD  ABQ Health Partners Eye Clinic  David A Bernitsky MD  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Institute of Albuquerque PC  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Associates  Eye Associates  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Southwest Eye Care  Southwest Eye Care  Southwest Eye Care  Southwest Eye Care  Southwest Eye Care  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Family and Children's Eye Care  UNM Dept of Surgery  University Hospital Department of Ophthalmology  Family and Children's Eye Care  Family and Children's Eye Care  University Hospital Department of Ophthalmology  Paul E Hepner Jr. MD  Ronald Friederich MD  Richard Sonntag Jr. MD  ABQ Health Partners Eye Clinic  ABQ Health Partners Eye Clinic  Albuquerque VA Medical Center  Eye Associates of New Mexico  Jerald Littlefield MD  William Cox MD  Robert Bell MD Rio Rancho, New MexicoUpcoming 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 GlaucomaWhat is LASIK?LASIK stands for laser in situ keratomileusis, which means using a laser underneath a corneal flap (in situ) to reshape the cornea (keratomileusis). This procedure utilizes a highly specialized laser (excimer laser) designed to treat refractive errors, improve vision, and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. This laser procedure alters the shape of the cornea, which is the transparent front covering of the eye. Though the excimer laser had been used for many years before, the development of LASIK is generally credited to Ioannis Pallikaris from Greece around 1991.
How does LASIK work?During the LASIK procedure, a specially trained eye surgeon first creates a precise, thin hinged corneal flap using a microkeratome. The surgeon then pulls back the flap to expose the underlying corneal tissue, and then the excimer laser ablates (reshapes) the cornea in a unique pre-specified p... Other Related Glaucoma ArticlesEmergency Contact for Rio Rancho
Nearby Rio Rancho Hospitals *Lovelace Westside Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Center Lovelace Women's Hospital Desert Hills Hospital Carrie Tingley Hospital Kindred Hospital Albuquerque University of New Mexico Children's Psychiatric Center Heart Hospital of New Mexico Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital University of New Mexico Psychiatric Center University Hospital Albuquerque Indian Health Center Lovelace Medical Center Downtown Presbyterian Hospital Kaseman Presbyterian Hospital Lovelace Medical Center Gibson New Mexico VA Healthcare System 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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