Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common type and affects at least 3 million Americans. There are no early warning symptoms and this is a chronic disease. Standard treatments include medications in the form of eye drops.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is an advanced type of laser treatment to manage patients with Open Angle Glaucoma. SLT is a cold laser that lowers intraocular pressure by stimulating cells inside the eye to promote fluid drainage. SLT does not cause scarring inside the eye and is repeatable.

It was once thought that high intraocular pressures were the main cause of optic nerve damage. We now know that people with "normal" pressures can experience vision loss from glaucoma.

Low Tension Glaucoma is a condition where the optic nerve is damaged even though the intraocular pressure is normal.

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. Certain factors, however, can increase your risk. These factors include diabetes, family history of glaucoma and age. People over 60 years of age are six times more likely to develop glaucoma than those who are younger.

Because Open Angle Glaucoma and Low Tension Glaucoma have no symptoms, regular eye examinations are important. Intraocular pressure measurement and careful evaluation of the optic nerve are routine elements in a comprehensive ophthalmological examination. Further testing, such as visual field testing and optic nerve scan may be required for definitive diagnosis and follow up evaluation.