Yet the eye is a delicate window to view the world and it needs the utmost care to protect it from the elements of aging and disease. During an eye exam, the ophthalmologist looks for more than whether glasses are needed. Just like the eyes are a window into the soul, the eyes can be an indicator of systemic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Eye doctors therefore look for signs of glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. These four disorders cause more Americans to lose their sight than any other conditions.
Black people are at four times more risk than white people.
Medications help control eye pressure by either slowing the eye's fluid production or improving drainage. Patients like it because they only have to use it once a day. It uses a different mechanism than conventional drops to drain excess fluid and reduce eye pressure. The drop also has very few side effects. When drops or other medications no longer control the disease, or it's too late in the progression of the disease to prescribe them, specialists may recommend laser treatment.