Glaucoma: your best defense is early detection
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness, yet it often has no early symptoms. The good news: when we catch it early, we can protect the sight you have.
Glaucoma care at Garland Eye Associates
Glaucoma refers to a set of eye diseases that gradually damage the optic nerve and can progressively reduce peripheral vision, sometimes without any early warning signs. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, but if diagnosed early and treated effectively, vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented. Since the risk of developing glaucoma increases with age and early glaucoma usually has no symptoms, regular screening is a very important part of protecting long-term vision.
Glaucoma care focuses on early detection, accurate diagnosis, and long-term monitoring and treatment to help protect vision. When treatment is needed, our doctors offer medical therapy, in-office laser therapy, and surgical solutions when necessary.
Our ophthalmologists screen for, diagnose, and treat glaucoma. Treatment is tailored based on glaucoma type, severity, pressure goals, and overall eye health.
Monitoring your glaucoma over time
Glaucoma care usually involves relatively frequent follow-up visits so the doctor can confirm that eye pressure, visual field and optic nerve findings remain stable. Glaucoma is monitored over time with regular examinations, intraocular pressure checks, and specific testing that includes:
- Visual Field Test: Automated testing that measures the area visible to each eye to assess damage and track stability.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A non-invasive scan that measures retinal nerve fiber loss and supports progression monitoring alongside visual field testing.
- Fundus photography: Color photographs of the optic disc allow for a baseline and then a comparison over time.
Treatment options
Glaucoma damage and glaucomatous vision loss is permanent, but it is often controllable or preventable with appropriate treatment. Current treatments aim to lower intraocular pressure to halt or limit further optic nerve damage. Treatment options include:
- Prescription eye drops to reduce eye pressure
- In-office laser procedures, including laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to reduce eye pressure
- Peripheral iridotomy (LPI) for narrow-angles or angle-closure risk
- Surgical procedures such as trabeculectomy or glaucoma drainage implant (“tube shunt”) surgery for advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma
- MIGS options, including iStent® insertion during cataract surgery, for appropriate candidates
- Ongoing monitoring with pressure checks, visual field testing, and optic nerve imaging
A simple screening brings peace of mind
If it's been a while since your last exam, now is a good time. Give us a call.
Call 972-272-5591