Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting information from our eyes to the brain to form an image. Most often, optic nerve damage is caused by increased pressure in the eye, known as intraocular pressure. The front part of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called aqueous humor. This fluid is produced behind the colored part of the eye (iris). It leaves the eye through channels where the iris and cornea meet. This drainage area is called the anterior chamber angle. The cornea is the clear covering on the front of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and angle. This process of fluid formation and its egress is a continuous cycle. Anything that slows or blocks the flow of this fluid will cause elevated intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma can result in gradual loss of vision. It is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in African Americans. At present, approximately 3 million people are afflicted with glaucoma in the United States and about 50% of these individuals may not even know that they have the disease because of its asymptomatic nature.

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Programs + Services

Ophthalmology (New England Eye Center)

Ophthalmology (New England Eye Center) at Tufts Medical Center in Boston specializes in the testing and treatment of all types of eye diseases and visual problems.
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Melina I. Morkin, MD

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Ophthalmologist; Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Ophthalmology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-4600
Fax #: 617-636-4866

Cornea, external disease, cataract surgery, including femtosecond laser technology, cornea transplants and refractive surgery including LASIK and PRK

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Sarwat Salim, MD, FACS

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Director, Glaucoma Services; Director, St. Elizabeth's Community Practice; Vice Chair for Clinical and Academic Affairs for the Department of Ophthalmology; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Ophthalmology, Glaucoma services
Appt. Phone: 617-636-4600
Fax #: 617-636-4866

Glaucoma and Cataract surgery

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Astrid C. Werner, MD

Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Ophthalmologist; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Ophthalmology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-4600
Fax #: 617-636-4866

Adult and adolescent glaucoma care, the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, cataract care

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Research + Clinical Trials

Discovery Approach to Ocular Hypertension

Eligible subjects are selected from a registry maintained by the Clinical Site: Cornea Research Foundation of America (CRFA) In Indianapolis. Registry patients are individuals who underwent corneal surgery at the Price Vision Group and whose intraocular pressure was tracked over at least a 6-month period following their surgery and follow-up treatment with steroids. The patients" clinical data resides in the registry. Thus, ONLY CRFA registry patients are eligible for recruitment to the study. Selected registry patients that meet all inclusion/exclusion criteria are phoned, the study is explained, and if they agree to participate they are mailed a consent form. The signed form is returned to CRFA by mail. Enrolled subjects are then mailed a saliva collection kit. Patients mail their filled kits to the Laboratory Site, previously USC, now Tufts Medical Center. DNA will be prepared, and DNA analysis will be performed at Tufts Medical Center. DNA will be stored at Tufts Medical Center. Statistical analysis to associate patient clinical data to DNA genotype will be performed at the Statistical Site: the University of Illinois Chicago.
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News

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A physician holding a green ribbon for Glaucoma

About Glaucoma

Learn about symptoms and prevention

Cynthia Mattox, MD is an award-winning Ophthalmologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.

Dr. Cynthia Mattox elected as the President of the American Glaucoma Society.

Meet Dr. Mattox