Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve. The optic nerve is connected to the retina—a layer of light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye—and is made up of many nerve fibers, like an electric cable is made up of many wires. It is the optic nerve that sends signals from your retina to your brain, where these signals are interpreted as the images you see.

In the healthy eye, a clear fluid called aqueous humor circulates inside the front portion of your eye. To maintain a constant healthy eye pressure, your eye continually produces a small amount of aqueous humor while an equal amount of this fluid flows out of your eye. If you have glaucoma, the aqueous humor does not flow out of the eye properly. Fluid pressure in the eye builds up and, over time, causes damage to the optic nerve fibers. An eye pressure test measures these levels so your ophthalmologist can monitor and treat the condition.

Depending on the type of glaucoma you have and the severity of your condition, there may be different treatment options available. The doctors at our Rock Hill and Fort Mill offices will recommend the best options for your eyes.