Risk Factors of Developing Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that destroys vision by damaging the optic nerve. If left untreated, it causes blindness. Prevention and early detection are the best measures against glaucoma, and being aware of your risk factors is important.

Risk factors for glaucoma include:
• Previous Injury or Surgery -- Eye injuries can damage the eye leading to difficulty with fluid drainage. Complications from eye surgery can also lead to glaucoma.
• Family History – Your risk of getting glaucoma is increased if someone in your family has the disease, because it may be inherited.
• High Blood Pressure – Some studies show that having high blood pressure increases the risk of glaucoma.
• Diabetes – Some studies show that diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
• Hypothyroidism – Hypothyroidism (reduced production of thyroid hormones) has been identified as a possible glaucoma risk factor.
• Obesity – Obesity and metabolic problems have been linked to an increased risk for glaucoma.
• Thin Corneas – Clinical trials have discovered that patients with thinner corneas (the clear structure at the front of the eye) are at a higher risk.
• Refractive Issues – Being nearsighted increases the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma. Being farsighted increases the risk for closed-angle glaucoma.
• Race – Open-angle glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for people who have Black, Hispanic, Eskimo or Asian backgrounds.
• Age – The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that the risk of getting glaucoma increases after age 50.

Dr. Carter will take the necessary time to discuss your concerns and answer questions you may have. If you are in the Dallas, Texas area, please contact glaucoma specialist Dr. Carter to set up your free vision consultation.

Optical Services

If you are not ready to have a vision correction procedure at this time, there are extensive optical services available to meet your needs. Purchasing a quality pair of glasses is not always an easy decision. Options for selecting eyewear include:

Thinner/Lighter Lenses
Two options for crafting thinner and lighter lenses are:
• Polycarbonate -- aside from its thinner and lighter qualities, polycarbonate is also the most impact-resistant lens material.
• Hi-index material – may be thinner than polycarbonate material and may also offer better optics for you.

Multifocal Lenses
Individuals requiring bifocal or trifocal lenses must decide whether to have a line or no line visible on the lens. A no-line bifocal gradually increases magnification as one looks down the lens. A lined bifocal provides a clearly marked section of the lower portion of the lens with no gradual increase.

Transitions® Lenses
Transitions® lenses darken in sunlight and lighten indoors. They are available in polycarbonate or hi-index material, with gray or brown tint. Transitions lenses are a great alternative for patients interested in having prescription sunglasses.

Anti-Reflective Coatings
Glass, plastic, polycarbonate and hi-index lenses all benefit from anti-reflective coating. This is a hard coating applied to both sides of a lens to help eliminate reflections, such as those caused by computer monitors or oncoming car headlights.

To learn more about your optical choices, please contact eye surgeon Dr. Carter today for a free personal consultation. Our office is in Dallas, Texas.

Eyelid Surgery

Your eyes are one of the first facial areas to show signs of aging. Bags under the eyes and sagging upper eyelids can be corrected with a cosmetic eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty. A Carter Eye Center surgeon uses this fairly simple cosmetic procedure to refresh the appearance of your face and help you to look years younger.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Cosmetic eyelid surgery dramatically improves the look of tired or drooping eyes. A Carter Eye Center surgeon will surgically remove excess skin and pockets of fat from the upper and lower eyelids. In some cases, patients may combine blepharoplasty with other treatments, such as a browlift to raise drooping eyebrows, or BOTOX® injections to treat crow’s feet and frown lines.

Who is Eligible for Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty may a good option if you are in good physical health and have realistic expectations about the outcome. Many people who choose to have eyelid surgery are over 35, but those who have inherited droopy eyelids can have the procedure at an earlier age. If drooping lids are obstructing your vision, a Carter Eye Center surgeon can use blepharoplasty to remedy that problem.

You may not be eligible for blepharoplasty if you suffer from: high blood pressure, diabetes, insufficient tear production, circulatory disorders or cardiovascular disease.

Risks and Benefits

Blepharoplasty brings the same risks as all other surgeries, of excess bleeding, blood clots and infection. But when performed by an experienced and highly-qualified surgeon like a Carter Eye Center surgeon, who is specifically an eye surgeon, the risk level is extremely low. You can lower it even further by following a Carter Eye Center surgeon’s directions exactly, both before and after your surgery.

The benefits are having a younger and more alert appearance of the eyes and perhaps vision improvement also, if you have very droopy eyelids obscuring part of your visual field. The results of eyelid surgery are typically long-lasting.

The decision to undergo any type of cosmetic surgery should be made only after you have all questions answered and concerns addressed. The doctors at Carter Eye Center will gladly help you make an informed decision.

To learn more about eyelid surgery and to discover whether you would be a good candidate for it, please contact the eye surgeons at Carter Eye Center in Dallas, Texas

Types of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases which damage the optic nerve. Most often a glaucomatous eye has increased intraocular pressure (IOP), resulting either from too much fluid being produced in the eye or too little draining out. Below are the most common types of glaucoma.

Open Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle is the most common. The anterior structures of the eye can appear normal, but the optic nerve is gradually being damaged and therefore your vision is slowly disappearing. The damage is often caused by aqueous fluid building up and increasing the IOP. In some cases, the IOP is within normal range but damage is still occurring on the optic nerve. Peripheral vision is affected first, without any noticeable symptoms. Eye drops are typically prescribed to lower the pressure. In some cases, surgery is necessary.

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma
Only about 10% of glaucoma patients have this type. The space between the iris and cornea becomes more narrow than normal, leaving a smaller canal for the aqueous to pass through. If the flow becomes completely blocked, the IOP will rise sharply and cause sudden vision loss.

Secondary Glaucoma
This form happens as the result of another disease or problem with the eye, such as:
• Eye trauma
• Inflammation
• Previous surgery
• Diabetes
• Certain medications

In these cases, both the glaucoma and the primary problem must be treated.

Congenital Glaucoma
This is a rare type that may occur in infants. In most cases, surgery is required.

Dr. Carter will be happy to discuss your concerns and answer your questions. The first step towards receiving glaucoma treatment is to call or email glaucoma surgeon Dr. Carter to schedule your free consultation. We serve all of Dallas, Texas.