Glaucoma 

At Heart of Texas Eye Care, we believe knowledge about eye health and care is one of the crucial steps to treating and preventing eye disease. Glaucoma is a common eye condition and the second leading cause of blindness in the world, but when caught early, it can be treated.

Learn more about glaucoma

What is Glaucoma and How Does it Impact My Vision?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve, which plays a vital role in your ability to see. The most common cause of optic never damage is high intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure inside the eye. 

Glaucoma is known as “the silent thief of sight” because there are often no symptoms until the condition is so advanced that vision loss has already occurred. The CDC reports that 50% of individuals with glaucoma are unaware they have it. When caught early, however, you can treat glaucoma and prevent vision loss. 

There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma causes slow, painless vision loss, while closed-angle glaucoma causes rapid, painful vision loss and requires immediate treatment to prevent vision loss. Some other forms of glaucoma include normal tension glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma. 

Some of the symptoms of glaucoma include:

Open-angle glaucoma

  • Difficulty seeing in peripheral vision (early stage)
  • Difficulty seeing in central vision (late stage)

Closed-angle glaucoma

  • Blurred vision
  • Seeing halos or colored rings around lights
  • Red eyes
  • Headaches
  • Eye pain
  • Nausea or vomiting

How We Test for Glaucoma 

During a routine exam at Heart of Texas Eye Care, we screen every patient for glaucoma. We will schedule patients who meet additional screening criteria for a glaucoma workup, consisting of optic nerve imaging, pressure measurements, a gonioscopy (a measure of the angle of the cornea), a corneal thickness measurement, and a visual field test. 

These tests will provide a good baseline to monitor the condition of the eye with future data from screening and help determine if you have glaucoma. If our team determines that you have glaucoma, we can then recommend treatment options.

How Can I Prevent Glaucoma?

Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection, especially for patients who are over 50, diabetic, Black, Asian, Hispanic, or have a family history of glaucoma. You may also be at risk for developing glaucoma if you have high eye pressure, thin corneas, extreme nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or sustained an eye injury.

You should wear eye protection when participating in activities that could cause eye trauma, including sports and working with power tools. Staying physically active and refraining from smoking can also help prevent glaucoma. It is also essential to wear sunglasses regularly and maintain good gum health.

What is Glaucoma and How Does it Impact My Vision?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve, which plays a vital role in your ability to see. The most common cause of optic never damage is high intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure inside the eye. 

Glaucoma is known as “the silent thief of sight” because there are often no symptoms until the condition is so advanced that vision loss has already occurred. The CDC reports that 50% of individuals with glaucoma are unaware they have it. When caught early, however, you can treat glaucoma and prevent vision loss. 

There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma causes slow, painless vision loss, while closed-angle glaucoma causes rapid, painful vision loss and requires immediate treatment to prevent vision loss. Some other forms of glaucoma include normal tension glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma. 

Some of the symptoms of glaucoma include:

Open-angle glaucoma

  • Difficulty seeing in peripheral vision (early stage)
  • Difficulty seeing in central vision (late stage)

Closed-angle glaucoma

  • Blurred vision
  • Seeing halos or colored rings around lights
  • Red eyes
  • Headaches
  • Eye pain
  • Nausea or vomiting

How We Test for Glaucoma 

During a routine exam at Heart of Texas Eye Care, we screen every patient for glaucoma. We will schedule patients who meet additional screening criteria for a glaucoma workup, consisting of optic nerve imaging, pressure measurements, a gonioscopy (a measure of the angle of the cornea), a corneal thickness measurement, and a visual field test. 

These tests will provide a good baseline to monitor the condition of the eye with future data from screening and help determine if you have glaucoma. If our team determines that you have glaucoma, we can then recommend treatment options.

How Can I Prevent Glaucoma?

Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection, especially for patients who are over 50, diabetic, Black, Asian, Hispanic, or have a family history of glaucoma. You may also be at risk for developing glaucoma if you have high eye pressure, thin corneas, extreme nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or sustained an eye injury.

You should wear eye protection when participating in activities that could cause eye trauma, including sports and working with power tools. Staying physically active and refraining from smoking can also help prevent glaucoma. It is also essential to wear sunglasses regularly and maintain good gum health.

What are My Treatment Options for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma has no cure; however, early treatment can preserve your vision. At Heart of Texas Eye Care, we are passionate about the eye health of our patients, which is why we offer information as well as quality and safe treatments to help treat and manage glaucoma. 

Durysta®

Durysta® is an FDA-approved dissolvable implant that works to reduce intraocular eye pressure. This treatment is ideal for patients with open-angle glaucoma. The implant itself is very small, about one mm in length. During your treatment, we will administer anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye and ensure you feel no pain during the procedure. Your practitioner will then place the implant in your eye and then have you sit upright to allow the implant to settle in place.

You will need to stay upright for at least an hour after your procedure. Some redness or discomfort after Durysta® is normal and will subside; however, if you have any concerns or are experiencing pain, progressive redness, light sensitivity, or changes in your vision, please contact our team.

Once your practitioner places Durysta® into the affected eye, it will slowly begin to dissolve, releasing medication that will decrease intraocular pressure. Durysta® does not require daily maintenance, making it an excellent choice for patients who have difficulty administering or remembering to administer daily eye drops.

Prescription Eye Drops

For patients with open-angle glaucoma, we may recommend prescription eye drops to lower intraocular pressure and prevent damage to the eyes. Prescription eye drops do not cure glaucoma, but they can stop your condition from worsening. Patients need to take these drops daily and may need to take them several times a day. 

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment may be an option for patients with glaucoma. The types of laser treatments you can receive will differ depending on the type of glaucoma you have. During your appointment, we can discuss your treatment options and provide you with a referral.

Drainage Implant

A glaucoma drainage implant may be a treatment option for patients who have not been able to lower eye pressure with eye drops and laser treatment. Glaucoma implant surgery can not reverse damage caused by glaucoma; however, it can prevent further damage. We can refer you to a specialist if you qualify for this procedure.

What are My Treatment Options for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma has no cure; however, early treatment can preserve your vision. At Heart of Texas Eye Care, we are passionate about the eye health of our patients, which is why we offer information as well as quality and safe treatments to help treat and manage glaucoma. 

Durysta®

Durysta® is an FDA-approved dissolvable implant that works to reduce intraocular eye pressure. This treatment is ideal for patients with open-angle glaucoma. The implant itself is very small, about one mm in length. During your treatment, we will administer anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye and ensure you feel no pain during the procedure. Your practitioner will then place the implant in your eye and then have you sit upright to allow the implant to settle in place.

You will need to stay upright for at least an hour after your procedure. Some redness or discomfort after Durysta® is normal and will subside; however, if you have any concerns or are experiencing pain, progressive redness, light sensitivity, or changes in your vision, please contact our team.

Once your practitioner places Durysta® into the affected eye, it will slowly begin to dissolve, releasing medication that will decrease intraocular pressure. Durysta® does not require daily maintenance, making it an excellent choice for patients who have difficulty administering or remembering to administer daily eye drops.

Prescription Eye Drops

For patients with open-angle glaucoma, we may recommend prescription eye drops to lower intraocular pressure and prevent damage to the eyes. Prescription eye drops do not cure glaucoma, but they can stop your condition from worsening. Patients need to take these drops daily and may need to take them several times a day. 

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment may be an option for patients with glaucoma. The types of laser treatments you can receive will differ depending on the type of glaucoma you have. During your appointment, we can discuss your treatment options and provide you with a referral.

Drainage Implant

A glaucoma drainage implant may be a treatment option for patients who have not been able to lower eye pressure with eye drops and laser treatment. Glaucoma implant surgery can not reverse damage caused by glaucoma; however, it can prevent further damage. We can refer you to a specialist if you qualify for this procedure.

Take the
Next Step

Would you like to learn more about glaucoma and take the first step toward a clearer future? Then please fill out our online form below or call us at (512) 213-2220 to get started with an in-person consultation at Heart of Texas Eye Care. Our courteous staff and board-certified ophthalmologists are here to assist you through every step of your journey!

Clearer Vision
Starts Here

If you’re ready for lasting vision correction with LASIK, a consultation for cataracts, or maybe blepharoplasty to rejuvenate aging eyes, our team can help. Or maybe it’s time for your yearly eye exam or maintenance Botox® injections. Click the button below to explore financing options for all your eye care needs.

Clearer Vision
Starts Here

If you’re ready for lasting vision correction with LASIK, a consultation for cataracts, or maybe blepharoplasty to rejuvenate aging eyes, our team can help. Or maybe it’s time for your yearly eye exam or maintenance Botox® injections. Click the button below to explore financing options for all your eye care needs.