Glaucoma

There are a lot of conditions that we treat on a regular basis and one of the most common is called glaucoma. This is a condition that often progresses without leading to any symptoms in the beginning. As a result, this is a condition that can progress unchecked. This is also the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the elderly. Millions of people likely have this condition and don’t even realize it. It is important to rely on trained eye doctors in Arizona to diagnose and treat this condition.

Glaucoma is a condition that develops due to abnormal pressure behind the eye. A glaucoma specialist can use a tool to check the pressure behind each eye individually and help glaucoma patients treat it. In glaucoma, the optic nerve is damaged. This is a nerve that connects the brain to the eyes, enabling the brain to interpret signals that come from the eyes. This damage usually comes from elevated eye pressure caused by increased fluid production or reduced drainage. 

When someone suffers from glaucoma, this condition progresses gradually. In the beginning, there might not be any symptoms at all. As a result, this condition might get worse and people don’t even know it. This is what makes it so dangerous and why early detection is important.

That is where we can help with our Phoenix area glaucoma treatments. We have a team of eye doctors and specialists who can help you diagnose this condition and provide treatment quickly. Our goal is to detect and treat this condition before it compromises someone’s vision. Even though there might not be a cure for this condition, we have ways to control it.

Glaucoma eye care patients enjoying life and fishing Glaucoma eye care patient fishing

The Symptoms of Glaucoma

In the beginning, there might not be any symptoms at all. Over time, the symptoms may start to appear. Some of the most common symptoms of glaucoma include:

  • Difficulty seeing, particularly at night, without glasses
  • The development of halos around the visual field
  • Peripheral vision that starts to turn blurry
  • Eye pain

Anyone with these symptoms needs to see a doctor as quickly as possible.

Arizona glaucoma eye care patient smiling and happy on his ranch Glaucoma eye care patient on his ranch

Are You at Risk of Glaucoma?

There are a few people who are at a higher risk of glaucoma. Some of the most common risk factors include advanced age, those with a family history of this condition, African Americans, individuals who have developed diabetes, those who have to take steroids. Anyone who falls into these categories must make sure they receive regular eye exams.

If you are looking to learn more about glaucoma, then you should reach out to us today to learn more about the Phoenix glaucoma treatment options we provide. We have a wide array of treatments including iStent (which bypasses a fluid blockage), SLT (a laser treatment to assist fluid drainage), LPI (which increases fluid flow), and CPC/ECP (coagulation that eliminates excessive fluid production). All of these treatments can be handled by our team. Call us today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team. We are here to help you protect and preserve your vision with expert Phoenix glaucoma treatments.

iStent®

An iStent® Micro-Bypass is a highly effective form of glaucoma treatment, especially for those who have been managing their glaucoma with medication but are beginning to develop cataracts. An iStent® is a small implant used to control intraocular pressure that also reduces (or, in some cases, eliminates) a patient’s reliance on hypotensive eye drops. This innovative surgical procedure helps patients manage both cataracts and glaucoma.

LPI

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) is a laser treatment that provides an alternate drainage port in the iris for those with narrow angles and reduces the risk of narrow-angle glaucoma.

SLT

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is also a laser treatment, however it is only used for patients with open-angle glaucoma. The benefits produced by SLT last anywhere from one to five years, and can be repeated as needed. In certain cases, SLT can eliminate the need for additional glaucoma medication.

Diagnosing Glaucoma

Eye care professionals can diagnose glaucoma in a variety of ways. Which detection method(s) your Swagel Wootton Eye Institute doctor chooses will depend on your unique circumstances. These methods may include:

  • A tonometry procedure to check your eye pressure. During this procedure, numbing eye drops are applied before a tonometer probe is used to measure and record your eye’s resistance and pressure.
  • An ophthalmoscopy to record the shape of your eye and optic nerve. If your optic nerve is cupped or not a vibrant pink color, this may be a sign that you have glaucoma. Your eye doctor will perform additional tests to confirm a diagnosis.
  • A perimetry test to map your current field of vision. During this test, you will look straight ahead into a white, bowl-shaped area and be asked to identify when lights come into view. Identifying which lights you can see and which ones you can’t will help your doctor determine which form of glaucoma you may have: open-angle glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma.
  • A gonioscopy eye exam to evaluate your eye’s internal drainage system. This method also helps identify the type of glaucoma that may be present.
  • A nerve fiber layer analysis to evaluate nerve fiber. This test provides your eye doctor with a closer look at the layer of nerve fiber typically damaged by glaucoma.