Hours: Mon – Fri. 8:00am – 4:00pm | Saturday 8:00am – 12:00pm (Alternating Locations Weekly)

Glaucoma
Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerves, usually caused by abnormally high eye pressure. Because this nerve connects the eyes to the brain, it is crucial for healthy and clear vision, and damage to this nerve results in vision loss or disturbances. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for those over the age of 60, though it can occur at any age.

Glaucoma typically happens when there is an abnormality in the eye’s drainage system, called the drainage angle. If this channel is blocked or stops working, then fluid in the eye, called aqueous humor, will begin to build up. This may be caused by factors in the individual’s eye such as decreased corneal thickness or if someone’s iris is too close to their drainage angle. These factors can end up blocking the drainage angle, making it unable to drain fluids from the eye causing a buildup. Other factors may be if the drainage angle itself becomes insufficient, and suddenly stops draining the eye fluid allowing it to build, or is producing too much fluid for the eye to handle. This is usually the case with forms of glaucoma that show up in infants and children, as their drainage canals may be underdeveloped or have formed incorrectly.

This buildup of fluid leads to excessive eye pressure, which causes severe damage to the optic nerves. Because these nerve fibers connect the retina with the brain, deterioration of this nerve also means deterioration of your vision. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes, but it can be worse in one eye, and it is important to note you can still get glaucoma and have vision loss, even with normal eye pressure, if the optic nerves have been damaged. This is why it is important to maintain regular eye exams, especially past the age of 40.

Aloha from
Hawaiian Eye Center

Come visit one of our eye centers in Central Oahu. Meet our friendly staff and ask about our eye care services. Make an appointment with one of our impeccably trained eye specialists. Hawaiian Eye Center provides you with the best eye care available anywhere.

Wahiawa location:
606 Kilani Ave.
Wahiawa, HI 96786

Telephone: 808-621-8448

Waipahu location:
94-673 Kupuohi St. Ste. #C203
Waipahu, HI 96797

Telephone: 808-678-0622

Working hour

Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday 8:00am – 12:00pm
(Alternating Locations Weekly)

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