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Dr. Colman Kraff and the team at the Kraff Eye Institute is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care, along with the most advanced treatments, to treat patients that have been diagnosed with glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that causes damage to the optic nerve of the eye. The optic nerve is found at the back of the eye and is responsible for transmitting visual data to the brain, allowing you to see. The damage to the nerve is typically caused by increased pressure on the nerve. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in elderly people. When detected and treated early, visual loss can be prevented.
Often, by the time individuals experience the first signs of glaucoma, the disease has already caused damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is referred to as “the silent thief of sight” because of the lack of symptoms presented in the early stages of the disease.
Having regular eye exams can determine if you have a glaucoma diagnosis, and prevent any loss of visual acuity. A glaucoma test is a simple test, done right in your doctor's office, and can provide invaluable information regarding your eye health.
While there is no cure for glaucoma, there are several treatment options available to stop or slow further vision loss. Treatment options include:
Topical medications can be used to reduce the pressure in the eye, protecting the optic nerve and preserving vision. Eye drops will typically be used for the rest of the patient's life.
Occasionally medication will be taken by mouth, but this form of treatment is usually reserved for periods of exceptionally high-pressure readings.
Laser surgery is commonly used to treat glaucoma patients, and is often repeated at least every five years. It can diminish in efficacy the more times it is performed.
Trabecular and shunt surgery reduces the need for medication, while creating new drainage channels for the fluid in the eyes. This is a minimally invasive procedure that involves making a small incision resulting in very little trauma to the eye.
Glaucoma is one of the best examples of why a routine eye exam is critical to maintain the health of your eyes. Schedule your annual eye exam with Dr. Colman Kraff today.
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There are several different types of glaucoma. Before exploring the different types, it's helpful to understand the mechanism of the eye that can cause increases in eye pressure. The eyes are filled with a liquid called aqueous humor. Aqueous humor is what holds the shape of your eye and feeds and nourishes the internal structures of the eye. The body is continually producing new aqueous humor while draining out the old.
Occurs when the structures that let the aqueous humor drain become damaged. The trabecular meshwork that assists with drainage hinders the flow, causing pressure to build inside the eye, and resulting in pressure on the optic nerve.
Occurs when the iris is pushed directly against the cornea, impeding drainage of aqueous humor. The trabecular meshwork and the uveoscleral drain both become blocked, stopping drainage almost completely. This type of glaucoma often creates extreme intraocular pressure.
Often referred to as low-tension glaucoma, this type of glaucoma results in optic nerve damage despite the intraocular pressure readings falling within the normal range.
This occurs when the iris, the colored part of the eye, releases pigment into the eye. These pigments can get trapped in the drainage system of the eye, causing an increase in ocular pressure.
Occurs when the eye produces a protein-like material, which deposits on various structures of the eye including the drainage system. These deposits obstruct the drainage of aqueous humor, raising intraocular pressure.
Most often, the causes of glaucoma are related to the flow of aqueous humor through the mesh-like channels of the eye. These channels can become blocked, the eye can produce too much aqueous, or the aqueous can build up. All of these circumstances can result in an increase in the pressure of the eye. Glaucoma can be hereditary, sharing your family history with your doctor is crucial. Less often, glaucoma can be caused by a blunt force trauma injury to the eye, a chemical injury, a severe eye infection, a blocked blood vessel, or an inflammatory disease. In very rare cases, glaucoma can result from surgery to correct another eye condition. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes, but it can be worse in one eye than the other.
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The cost of glaucoma treatment will vary, depending on the type of treatment your doctor recommends. Glaucoma is a disease that requires ongoing treatment, whether it be with eye drops or surgery. Medical health insurance typically will cover some of the cost to treat glaucoma.
The Kraff Eye Institute is proud to partner with Care Credit, America's top patient payment program. Care Credit will allow you to start your eye care treatment, then pay for it at your convenience.
As you search for glaucoma doctors in Chicago, look no further than The Kraff Eye Institute. With decades of experience and a commitment to advanced technology, Dr. Kraff offers his patients highly successful glaucoma treatments, preserving their vision. Our Chicago glaucoma consultants can help you navigate your diagnosis, and work to find the best treatment option.
With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Colman Kraff is committed to providing his patients with the highest quality of care, along with the most effective treatment options.
To schedule a glaucoma consultation, please contact our Chicago office at
312-444-1111Schedule Consultation
You are more likely to develop glaucoma if you have any of the following criteria:
Being aware of these conditions, and having regular eye exams will help you maintain your eye health.
While glaucoma can not be prevented, it can be caught early, minimizing any vision loss. Here are some tips to maximize your chances of catching glaucoma early:
Glaucoma can be hereditary. Open-angle glaucoma is hereditary, if you have a family member with the condition, you will want to inform your doctor.
There is currently no cure for glaucoma, but medication and surgery can effectively treat it and decrease the risk of vision loss. There is nothing that can be done for visual losses caused by glaucoma, only further losses can be prevented.
