EP # 17: Demystifying Glaucoma: Insights, Exams, and Collaborative Treatments

Unlock the mysteries of glaucoma with us as Dr. Laura Falco, joined by Jeremy Wolf, offers a deep dive into this often misunderstood eye condition during Glaucoma Awareness Month. Amidst our conversation, the nuances of ocular hypertension come to light, a condition marked by elevated eye pressure sans optic nerve damage. Dr. Falco, with her expert touch, demystifies the importance of regular eye exams, visual field tests, and OCT scans to safeguard the delicate nerve fiber layer that's vital for vision. Get to know the varied management strategies ranging from medication to potential surgical interventions as we navigate the complex web of treatments together.

The collaboration between optometrists and ophthalmologists is a cornerstone of eye health care, and our episode doesn't shy away from exploring these dynamic partnerships. Through this episode, we hammer home the critical importance of annual eye examinations, not just for those with vision correction needs but for anyone committed to preserving their sight. Embrace the power of proactive eye care and tune in for an enlightening session on keeping your vision crystal clear for life.

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or contact: (954) 473-0100

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Welcome to the Jazzy Eyes podcast. Taking care of your vision with expert precision. Here's your host, dr Laura Falco.

Jeremy: 0:14

Hello, welcome back to the Jazzy Eyes podcast. Jeremy Wolf, here joined by your host, Dr Laura Falco. We were just talking about glaucoma. It is national, not national. It is glaucoma awareness month in January. You went over a bunch of key information in the last segment. Why don't you pick up where we left off, Right?

Dr. Falco: 0:39

We'll talk about two little scenarios here. One is something called ocular hypertension. Sometimes people can have a higher eye pressure and they don't have any damage in the back. We can monitor patients with visual field tests optic coherence tomography it's called an OCT. It scans the nerve fiber layer. Make sure we're not losing any nerve fiber layer. We check people's eye pressures. Pressure can go down, up and down during the day by three to four millimeters.

Dr. Falco: 1:09

We do typically start managing with eye drops. However, I do want people to know also there's a lot of co-management that goes on as well, where I will send patients out to see a glaucoma specialist, because sometimes the idea of taking drops for the rest of their life is not appealing. The drops burn and there are surgical co-management techniques that can also work. Some doctors will do a laser and that can increase the outflow. Some people have to put in a little tube that basically filters out the fluid.

Dr. Falco: 1:42

Oftentimes when patients do that, they don't need to do any medications anymore for the rest of their life and it really does take care of it. I just want people to know that it's a scary thing, but if you go every year and you get to your pressure check, there are pharmacologic drops that fix it. There are laser procedures, there are surgical procedures. There are tons of options to manage it so that you never lose your vision to glaucoma. That's important to know. That's why you need to come in, because we can come in and make sure that somebody doesn't lose their sight.

Jeremy: 2:17

It's very important. You don't do the surgeries for these things.

Dr. Falco: 2:21

No, I will co-manage. I have an arsenal of ophthalmologists that I can go to and send patients for consultations for certain procedures that can either get them off one eye drop if the drop is not working or it's adverse reaction, or maybe it's not lowering the pressure enough and they need a filtration surgery. There are procedures that they can do. We really do work together to make sure the pressure is controlled and that the patient doesn't lose vision.

Jeremy: 2:49

Can we ever talk about glaucoma? Did we ever do a segment on cataracts? I can't remember. I don't think we did yes we did we did Okay, yeah, I know we've done a bunch of these. The stuff sometimes has a tendency to go over my head, I know.

Dr. Falco: 3:04

And there are a lot of cataract surgeons who, when the patient is ready for cataract surgery, because you can have more than one problem you can have glaucoma and cataracts right. Because it's usually an aging population, there's a lot of surgeons that will do procedures it's called a combined procedure that they can do a procedure to lower eye pressure as well as replace the lens during cataract surgery so that the patient doesn't need to go on eye drops but their pressure will remain low. So it's called a combined procedure so they can do that as well. So sometimes it's two in one.

Jeremy: 3:38

Two for one Two for one deal Exactly. Was there anything else you wanted to share before Dr Neuwen got on and talked a little bit about kind of her spin on this?

Dr. Falco: 3:49

I mean just to circle back. This is just another reason why, even if you think your vision is fine and you don't need vision correction, that is completely fine as we age, you really do need to get your eyes examined once a year, because all of the things that I talk about are pretty much easier to take care of if found early than waiting All preventative.

Jeremy: 4:16

It's so funny. I always say this every time I do a podcast with a medical professional and I talk about preventative care, getting ahead of this stuff early, and I'll be the first to admit that I'm guilty of not doing that myself. Life happens. It's just so important to get this stuff on your calendar and make sure you have those eye exams scheduled in and doctor's exams and things of that nature. Time flies. I find that the older I get, the quicker it gets it's like a blur.

Dr. Falco: 4:50

It goes faster. I know it's not fair.

Jeremy: 4:54

I want the time back. All right, cool, so we'll wrap up there and we'll get Dr Neuwen's spin on this, and I know she has a couple of other topics related to glaucoma that she wanted to touch base upon. So, dr Falco, always a pleasure. I will look forward to seeing you on the next episode and to our listeners, as always. Thanks for tuning in and we will catch you all next time. Everyone have a wonderful day and a wonderful new year. Take care.

Dr. Falco: 5:23

Bye.

Speaker 1: 5:26

Thank you for listening to the Jazzy Eyes podcast. For more information, visit JazzyEyescom or contact 954-473-0100.