Skip to main menu Skip to main content Skip to footer

Glaucoma Treatment

At 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana, we understand the importance of prompt detection and effective treatment for glaucoma. As the second leading cause of blindness in the world, access to quality glaucoma care is essential to preserving your vision.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve of your eye, resulting in partial or total vision loss. This typically occurs due to a rise in eye pressure from a buildup of fluid called aqueous humor in the front of the eye.

Aqueous humor is a liquid that consistently flows in and out of the eye through the eye’s drainage angle, regulating intraocular (eye) pressure. If fluid isn’t draining correctly, intraocular pressure builds up and can damage the optic nerve.

There are two primary types of glaucoma, including:

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the condition, affecting around 90% of patients with glaucoma. It occurs when the eye isn’t draining fluid as well as it should, causing a buildup in eye pressure.

Some patients notice blind spots in their peripheral vision with open-angle glaucoma. However, the symptoms are typically unnoticeable until damage to the optic nerve has already occurred.

Once damage has occurred as a result of glaucoma, it cannot be reversed. Attending regular eye exams with your eye doctor at 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana is critical.

This ensures you receive an early diagnosis and preserve as much of your vision as possible.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is an acute condition that happens when the iris of your eye blocks the drainage angle, resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure.

Patients may experience symptoms such as:

  • Blurry vision
  • Seeing rainbows or halos
  • Severe forehead or eye pain
  • Red eyes
  • Nausea and vomiting

Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek immediate care, as the condition can cause irreversible vision loss.

Who is at Risk for Developing Glaucoma?

Although anyone can develop glaucoma, your risk increases with age, especially after the age of 40. Other factors that can increase your risk include:

  • Diabetes
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Being of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent
  • Use of long-term steroid medications (corticosteroids)
  • High blood pressure
  • Migraines
  • Nearsightedness or farsightedness
  • High intraocular pressure
  • Thinning of the optic nerve or corneal center
  • Previous eye injury or surgery

If you belong to one or more of these high-risk groups, scheduling regular eye exams with your eye doctor is crucial to reduce your risk of significant vision loss from glaucoma.

How is Glaucoma Treated?

At 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana, we offer a wide range of comprehensive glaucoma treatments, including:

Prescription eye drops can help lower intraocular pressure by reducing the amount of fluid your eye produces, or by helping fluid flow through the drainage angle. You may need to reapply these eye drops multiple times a day.

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, or MIGS, is a group of procedures used to improve fluid flow in your eye. They typically take less time to perform and recover from than traditional glaucoma procedures. The procedures offered at 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana include: iStent and goniotomy.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty, or SLT, uses a specialized laser to activate changes in the drainage tissue of the eye. This allows fluid to flow better through the eye, lowering intraocular pressure.

The earlier glaucoma is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be at preventing significant vision loss. This is why frequent eye exams are the best way to protect your vision from glaucoma and ensure you receive the treatment you need.

Do you want to learn more about glaucoma treatment? Schedule an appointment at 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana in Indianapolis, IN, today!

Request an Appointment
⇧