The Doctors: Dr Ian Smith Eye Exam & Dr Kerry Assil Causes Of Glaucoma

The Doctors: Dr Ian Smith Eye Exam

Dr. Ian Smith traveled to the Assil Eye Institute because he has a family history of glaucoma; his paternal grandfather has suffered with the condition for years.  Since early detection is so important with glaucoma, Dr. Ian wanted to get a head start. He visited Dr. Kerry Assil, who performed a variety of tests and offered good news.

Dr. Ian underwent scans of his optic nerve and had his eye pressure measured. After all the testing, Dr. Assil reported that Dr. Ian had “dodged a bullet” when it comes to glaucoma. However, that doesn’t mean that symptoms can’t show up later in life. Signs of glaucoma usually don’t appear until after the age of 40 (Dr. Ian is 44).

The Drs TV: What Is Glaucoma?

Dr. Assil explained more about glaucoma, which is five times more likely in African Americans. As we age, the nerve that connects the eye to the brain loses its fibers at a rate of about 1%. When someone has glaucoma, though, the fibers are lost much faster than usual.

Dr Kerry Assil: Signs & Causes of Glaucoma

This can be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and genetics, but most commonly because of pressure in the eye. When pressure is applied to the eye, the fiber loss is accelerated.

Early detection is extremely important, as glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight.” Usually, people start to lose vision in the periphery. Once they notice vision loss in the center, the glaucoma has reached an advanced state.

To reduce your risk of developing glaucoma, don’t sleep face down and avoid putting pressure on your eye.