Glaucoma Treatment in Huntsville
Expert glaucoma diagnosis & surgery co-management
Glaucoma affects nearly three million Americans and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.¹ At 20/20 Eye Care, we can detect early signs of the disease and provide advanced glaucoma treatment in Huntsville to protect your eyesight. Because glaucoma can progress without any warning signs, it’s crucial to have regular eye exams to catch it early before it causes permanent vision loss.
Our experienced eye doctors use innovative diagnostic tools, including optical coherence tomography, digital retinal imaging, and the VR Heru headset, to closely monitor eye health and spot signs of glaucoma before symptoms appear.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which transmits visual signals from your eyes to your brain. This damage is typically caused by elevated fluid pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). However, it can also occur with normal eye pressure.
Without timely treatment, glaucoma can lead to gradual and irreversible vision loss, typically beginning with your peripheral vision.
Glaucoma symptoms
Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it progresses silently and can cause irreparable damage before you notice any vision loss. As the condition advances, you may notice:
- Gradual loss of side (peripheral) vision
- Tunnel vision in later stages
- Eye pressure or pain (in some cases)
- Headaches, blurry vision, or halos around lights (in acute cases)
Even if you’re not experiencing symptoms, regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial to detect early changes before vision loss occurs.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase your risk, including²:
- A family history of glaucoma
- Age (your risk increases after 60)
- Medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
- Being of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent
- Previous eye injuries
- Long-term steroid use
- High degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness
- High eye pressure
How to treat glaucoma
While there’s no cure for glaucoma, starting treatment early can help slow or even prevent vision loss. Our team works closely with you, using our experience and advanced technology to monitor your condition and adjust your care as needed.
Treatment options may include:
- Prescription eye drops to lower eye pressure
- Oral medications for certain cases
- Laser procedures to improve fluid drainage
- Surgical options if other treatments aren’t enough
If surgery becomes necessary, our team will refer you to a trusted surgeon and provide post-op care to ensure your recovery goes smoothly.
Keep glaucoma from stealing your sight
Your eyes deserve the best care, and we’re here to help protect them. If it’s been a while since your last exam or you have risk factors for glaucoma, don’t wait to see an eye doctor.
Early detection is key, and with our caring eye doctors by your side, you can feel confident your vision is well cared for.
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