Get answers to your specific medical questions from UM Medical Center experts.
An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of glaucoma.
Drug Approval
Bimatoprost (Lumigan) has been approved as a first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma.
Glaucoma Cases Increasing Worldwide
About 60 million people worldwide will have glaucoma by 2010, and the number will increase to nearly 80 million by 2010, according to a recent study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology .
Weightlifting May Increase Glaucoma Risk
Weightlifting can cause a temporary increase in intraocular eye pressure (IOP), and holding your breath while lifting weights further increases IOP, suggests a 2006 study in the Archives of Ophthalmology . Doctors should ask patients with normal-tension glaucoma if they engage in weightlifting exercise.
IOP and Posture
IOP increases in some people when they are lying prone during sleep, yet glaucoma exams measure IOP in patients while they are sitting upright and awake, notes a 2006 study in the Archives of Ophthalmology . The researchers caution that posture may affect the interpretation of IOP readings.
Pregnancy and Glaucoma
The course of glaucoma is unpredictable during pregnancy -- IOP may remain stable in some women and increase in others, indicates a 2006 study. Although glaucoma eye drops can increase the risk of some pregnancy problems, especially during the first trimester, some pregnant women may need to continue to take glaucoma medication. Be sure your ophthalmologist carefully evaluates your individual case and explains the risks and benefits of taking medication during pregnancy.
Diabetes and Glaucoma
Type 2 diabetes increases the risk for open-angle glaucoma (the most common type of glaucoma). People with type 2 diabetes need to get regular glaucoma screenings.
Glaucoma Surgery
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