Often called “the silent thief of sight,” glaucoma usually has no early warning signs — which is why regular eye exams and expert management matter so much. Our doctors diagnose and treat glaucoma at every stage.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that gradually damage the optic nerve — the cable that carries what you see from your eye to your brain. In most cases, that damage is caused by pressure inside the eye that is higher than the nerve can safely tolerate.
The most common form has no pain and no early symptoms. It quietly affects your side (peripheral) vision first, while your straight-ahead vision stays sharp — so many people don’t notice a problem until vision has already been lost. Because that loss is permanent, catching glaucoma early is the single most important thing we can do together.
Glaucoma also tends to run in families. If a parent or sibling has it, your risk is higher — so your family history is always an important part of your evaluation.
Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be brought back — but with early detection and steady treatment, we can protect the sight you still have.
The most common form, affecting more than 2.5 million Americans. It develops slowly and painlessly, with no early symptoms — which is why routine screening is the best way to catch it. It gradually narrows peripheral vision first.
A sudden, sharp rise in eye pressure causing severe eye or brow pain, halos around lights, blurred vision, nausea, or vomiting. This is a medical emergency — seek care immediately to prevent permanent vision loss.
Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), and average pressure falls somewhere between 8 and 22. But there is no single number that’s safe for everyone. Some optic nerves tolerate a pressure of 30 with no damage; others are harmed at 15.
That’s why we don’t rely on one measurement. We look at your pressure alongside the health of your optic nerve, your visual field, and your family history to build a picture that’s specific to you.
Most glaucoma is managed successfully with eye drops or laser treatment. When those aren’t enough, our surgery center offers a full range of modern surgical options — many of them minimally invasive.
Usually the first step — lowering pressure and protecting the nerve over the long term.
An in-office procedure that can lower pressure effectively in many patients.
Newer techniques with faster healing, including iStent, XEN Gel Stent, and goniotomy.
Well-established options such as Ahmed tube shunts, trabeculectomy, and laser trabeculoplasty for more advanced cases.
Usually not. The most common form has no pain and no early symptoms, which is why regular comprehensive eye exams are the best way to detect it before vision is affected.
There is no cure, but glaucoma can often be controlled. With early detection and consistent treatment, most people keep useful vision for life.
Let us know — family history raises your risk. We may recommend earlier or more frequent screening so anything that develops is caught early.
Our team is here to help. Request an appointment or call us directly, and we’ll take care of the rest.
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