Glaucoma Specialists in Michigan & Ohio

 

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is vital for transmitting visual signals to the brain. If left untreated, this damage can lead to irreversible vision loss and blindness.

In most cases—particularly open-angle glaucoma, the most common form—glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly, often without noticeable symptoms. Many patients remain unaware of their condition until significant visual field loss has occurred.

Key Types of Glaucoma Include:

• Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): The most prevalent form, especially in the Western hemisphere. Characterized by a structurally normal drainage angle with gradually impaired fluid outflow and slow, painless peripheral vision loss

• Angle-Closure (Closed-Angle) Glaucoma: Occurs when the drainage angle becomes suddenly blocked, causing a rapid rise in eye pressure. This is a true medical emergency, marked by symptoms like severe eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea, and vomiting

• Secondary and Congenital Glaucoma: Arising from other eye diseases, injuries, or developmental issues, these forms also contribute to optic nerve damage through varied mechanisms

Who is at Risk for Glaucoma?

Although there are minimal risk factors for glaucoma, certain variables elevate a person’s risk of developing the disease. Glaucoma risk factors include:

• People with elevated intraocular pressure
• Individuals over the age of 60
• Those with a family history of glaucoma
• People of African descent and over the age of 40
• People with diabetes

People in these ‘at risk’ groups won’t experience any noticeable symptoms of the disease early on, so it is important to visit our team of glaucoma doctors regularly to perform examinations.

Are There Symptoms of Glaucoma?

Although treatable when caught early, glaucoma has no early warning signs. Until its advanced stages, most patients do not indicate that the pressure in their eyes is elevated or that their optic nerve may be damaged.

The disease affects peripheral vision first—meaning you could have “perfect” 20/20 vision but still have glaucoma. This is why regular eye exams that include testing performed by a glaucoma specialist are vital.

How Our Specialists Diagnose Glaucoma

The professional glaucoma specialists at the Specialty Eye Institute diagnose glaucoma as part of a routine eye examination.  During the examination, the eye doctor will examine the optic nerve for damage and measure the intraocular pressure in your eyes during a tonometry procedure.

If glaucoma is suspected, the doctor typically gives the patient a vision test to determine visual acuity for central and peripheral vision. The test takes about 20 to 30 minutes to perform and consists of flashes of light that the patient sees or does not see, with the patient pushing a button to alert the doctor when a flash is seen.

This method allows our staff of glaucoma specialists to accurately map the patient’s visual acuity and find the areas where vision may be affected. Checking intraocular pressure alone is insufficient to diagnose glaucoma. To protect your vision, it is essential to have early and regular eye examinations.

Glaucoma Treatment

Unfortunately, the damage done by glaucoma cannot be reversed. This is why early treatment is essential to preserve your eyesight.

Glaucoma treatment depends on the form of the disease and its severity. Intraocular pressure is often reduced using eye drops, oral, or intravenous methods.

In addition, laser surgery may be required to open the eye’s drainage system to allow fluid to drain. If these treatments do not work, our team of glaucoma doctors will perform traditional surgery.

The Best Ways to Prevent Glaucoma

The best way to keep glaucoma from robbing you of your eyesight is to have early and regular eye examinations by a professional ophthalmologist at Specialty Eye Institute. Our team of glaucoma doctors offers state-of-the-art glaucoma detection methods and scanning laser diagnostics.

If you're looking for the best glaucoma specialists near you, our team of eye doctors will perform an eye exam to detect an early stage of glaucoma. This will allow our staff to create an appropriate course of treatment to preserve your vision. Early detection of glaucoma means more effective treatment of the disease. If you notice any of the following warning signs of glaucoma, please contact your ophthalmologist immediately:

• Loss of peripheral vision
• Blurred vision
• Red, painful eyes
• Halos around lights
• Headaches
• Nausea

Read More: How to Prevent Glaucoma: Risk Factors, Diet, & Tips

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