If you’ve recently been diagnosed with glaucoma or know someone who has, you might be wondering what it means for your vision. One of the first questions people often ask is: Is glaucoma curable? 

The short answer is no, glaucoma is not curable. But don’t panic. While it isn’t curable, it is manageable. With early detection and the right treatment plan, vision loss can often be slowed or even prevented. At Specs of Madison in Madison, Alabama, we can help you protect your eyesight and manage glaucoma effectively.  

Glaucoma: The silent thief of sight 

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, usually due to increased pressure in the eye (known as intraocular pressure). Over time, this damage can lead to permanent vision loss and, in severe cases, blindness. 

Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” because it often progresses without any warning signs. Most people don’t experience pain or visual changes until irreversible damage has already occurred. Glaucoma can affect anyone, quietly impacting vision before it’s even detected. 

The most common type of glaucoma 

Open-angle glaucoma is by far the most common form of glaucoma, accounting for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases. It develops gradually over time as the eye’s drainage system becomes less efficient, causing fluid buildup and increased intraocular pressure that slowly damages the optic nerve. 

In most cases of open-angle glaucoma, there are no early symptoms. Vision loss begins at the outer edges (peripheral vision), which can be easy to miss at first. A person may have already suffered significant and permanent damage by the time they notice changes in their eyesight. 

What is acute angle-closure glaucoma? 

While less common than open-angle glaucoma, acute angle-closure glaucoma is far more urgent and potentially dangerous. In this type of glaucoma, the drainage angle between the iris and cornea becomes blocked suddenly, causing a rapid rise in intraocular pressure. 

Unlike open-angle glaucoma, acute angle-closure glaucoma comes on quickly and often painfully. Symptoms may include: 

• Sudden, severe eye pain 
• Headaches 
• Blurred vision or halos around lights 
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Redness in the eye 

If you experience any of these symptoms, treat them as a medical emergency. Immediate treatment is crucial to relieve the pressure and prevent permanent vision loss. If you are noticing signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma, we encourage you to call us immediately at 256-461-8800 for emergency eye care, even if it’s outside regular business hours.   

How is glaucoma treated? 

While there’s no cure for glaucoma, several treatments are available to help control the disease and lower eye pressure: 

• Prescription eye drops – Eye drops for glaucoma help reduce eye pressure by either decreasing fluid production or improving drainage. 
• Oral medications – Medications are sometimes used if eye drops alone aren’t enough. 
• Laser therapy – In some cases, we may recommend laser therapy, a quick, in-office procedure that improves how fluid drains from the eye. 
• Surgery – In more advanced cases, surgical procedures can create new drainage pathways to relieve pressure. 

If surgery is needed, our team at Specs of Madison can refer you to a trusted local surgeon and provide pre- and post-operative care. 

Visit Specs of Madison for expert care 

At Specs of Madison, we provide personalized glaucoma treatment in Madison, AL, tailored to each patient’s condition, risk factors, and lifestyle. If you’re concerned about your eye health or overdue for an exam, we make it easy. We accept walk-in appointments, so you don’t have to wait weeks to get the care you need.  

Visit Specs of Madison for a comprehensive eye exam and personalized care.