Vision Care Services

Glaucoma

Catch it early, protect your sight.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over 60.

Left untreated, it can cause permanent vision loss, often before you notice anything is wrong. Regular exams are the best protection.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front of the eye and raises the pressure inside it.

Types of glaucoma

Open-angle glaucomaThe most common type. The eye's drainage system looks normal, but fluid doesn't drain as it should.

Angle-closure glaucomaThe space between the cornea and iris narrows, which can make eye pressure rise suddenly.

Symptoms

Glaucoma usually has no symptoms in its early stages, which is why yearly exams matter. As it progresses, or in a sudden attack, you may notice:

Loss of side (peripheral) vision or tunnel vision
Halos around lights
Eye pain or redness
Nausea or vomiting with eye pain

Sudden eye pain with halos, blurred vision or nausea is an emergency. Call us right away or go to the nearest emergency room.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can develop glaucoma, but it's most common after age 40. Other risk factors include:

A family history of glaucoma
Diabetes
An eye injury
Long-term use of steroid medications such as prednisone

Diagnosis and treatment

We check your eye pressure, examine your optic nerve and test your peripheral vision. If you have glaucoma, treatment depends on how advanced it is and may include eye drops, laser treatment or surgery, with referral to a glaucoma specialist when needed.

Seen through our slit lamp

These photos and videos were taken with the camera on our slit lamp microscope during real exams and are shared without any identifying details.

PseudoexfoliationFlaky white material collects in a ring on the front of the lens, visible inside the pupil. It raises the risk of glaucoma and can make cataract surgery more complex, so we check eye pressure and the optic nerve closely.

Narrated by Dr. Tumolo

**Evaluating pseudoexfoliation syndrome**Dr. Tumolo examines the flaky deposits of pseudoexfoliation on the lens, a finding that raises the risk of glaucoma.

“Best eye exam I have ever had! Dr. Tumolo and Dr. Than are so knowledgeable. They really care and it shows! Great eyeglass selection as well. Recommending to all my family and friends!”

Austin D. · East Lake, Google review