Glaucoma
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, leading to progressive, irreversible loss of vision. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye.[1]
The nerve damage involves loss of retinal ganglion cells in a characteristic pattern. There are many different sub-types of glaucoma but they can all be considered a type of optic neuropathy. Raised intraocular pressure is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma (above 22 mmHg or 2.9 kPa). One person may develop nerve damage at a relatively low pressure, while another person may have high eye pressure for years and yet never develop damage. Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness.
Glaucoma can be divided roughly into two main categories, “open angle” and “closed angle” glaucoma. Closed angle glaucoma can appear suddenly and is often painful; visual loss can progress quickly but the discomfort often leads patients to seek medical attention before permanent damage occurs. Open angle, chronic glaucoma tends to progress at a slower rate and the patient may not notice that they have lost vision until the disease has progressed significantly.
Glaucoma has been nicknamed the “sneak robber of sight” because the loss of vision normally occurs gradually over a long period of time and is often only recognized when the disease is quite advanced. Once lost, this damaged visual field cannot be recovered. Worldwide, it is the second leading cause of blindness.[2] It is also the first leading cause of blindness among African Americans.[3] Glaucoma affects 1 in 200 people aged fifty and younger, and 1 in 10 over the age of eighty. If the condition is detected early enough it is possible to arrest the development or slow the progression with medical and surgical means.
Ophthalmologist
- Ophthalmic Surgeon
- Cataract and Intraocular Lens
- Glaucoma
- Oculoplastics
- Flight Surgeon
- Botox: functional and cosmetic
- Aeromedical ophthalmology
Robert P. Green, Jr., has had a long and interesting opthalmology career. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving nearly 23 years of active duty. During these 23 years, he was an intercontinental ballistic missile crew commander for 4 years; in medical school for 4 years; in internship 1 year; completed an opthalmology residency in 3 years; was the chief of opthalmology at Andrews AFB for 3 years; attended Flight Medicine Training. At the time of his retirement, Colonel Green was Chief of the Ophthalmology Branch for the Armstrong Laboratory at Brooks Air Force Base. At retirement from the USAF, Colonel Green received the Legion of Merit. He then spent 31 years with Ophthalmology Associates of San Antonio before joining Castle Hills Eye Specialists
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is the removal of the natural lens of the eye (also called “crystalline lens”) that has developed an opacification, which is referred to as a cataract
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, leading to progressive, irreversible loss of vision.
Cataract Surgery
Oculoplastics, or oculoplastic surgery, and includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face.[1]