Glaucoma

Glaucoma, often called the "silent thief of sight," can cause significant eye damage without any obvious symptoms, making regular glaucoma screenings crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. The expert team at Eye Care & Surgery includes specialists in glaucoma management and surgery, ready to provide the care you need. We offer services at three convenient locations: in Washington Heights, Manhattan; near the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, directly across from Yankee Stadium; and in New Rochelle, just minutes from downtown and near New Rochelle High School. Schedule your glaucoma screening today by booking online or calling your nearest Eye Care & Surgery office.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the world, and it typically occurs from eye pressure that is too high for that individual person.  This high eye pressure damages the optic nerve, which transmits vision from the eye to the brain. If glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated early, it can result in permanent vision loss.

There are two common types of glaucoma.

Open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly. It’s overwhelmingly the most common type of the disease, affecting about 2.7 million out of the more than three million Americans over 40 years old who currently have a diagnosis of glaucoma.

Narrow-angle glaucoma

Narrow-angle glaucoma happens suddenly, causing serious eye pain, headaches, and visual symptoms like halos around lights. It’s a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Some open-angle glaucoma sufferers develop narrow-angle glaucoma.

The experienced Eye Care & Surgery team handles glaucoma management, treatment, and surgery of all kinds for glaucoma.

Why do I need glaucoma screenings?

The reason that glaucoma-related vision loss is so common is likely because of its symptoms — or, more accurately, the lack of symptoms. Usually, glaucoma sufferers don't experience any symptoms at all until they have irreversible optic nerve damage. 

This means that regular glaucoma screenings could save your sight. The team of ophthalmologists at Eye Care & Surgery always perform thorough glaucoma screenings to ensure that they can make the earliest diagnosis possible. 

If you receive a glaucoma diagnosis, you can count on the glaucoma specialists at Eye Care & Surgery for expert management, including the latest surgical solutions.

How is glaucoma treated?

Glaucoma treatment emphasizes lowering eye pressure. Options include:

• Prescription eye drops
• Laser treatments
• Surgery to improve eye drainage

Generally, treatment begins with eye drops and then includes other options if they don't stop glaucoma progression. 

Sometimes, you might need preventative glaucoma treatment even if you don't have glaucoma at this time. Narrow angles is a condition in which the iris of your eye extends forward more than usual. This can block your eye's drainage system.

If more than 50% of your eye's drainage network is blocked, you might need a procedure called laser peripheral iridotomy to create additional drainage, which can help prevent a narrow-angle glaucoma attack. 

The sooner you seek glaucoma support, the better your chances of preserving your vision. Click the online scheduler or call Eye Care & Surgery for help today.

Do you suffer from Cataracts? Ask us how Cataract Surgery can help you today.