We Can Help Protect Your Vision
Glaucoma requires early treatment to prevent further vision loss. At Carolina Eyecare Physicians, our knowledgeable team can identify and treat glaucoma with advanced technologies, including medication, surgery, and other treatments.
Many types of glaucoma exist, but our team can offer you the care you need. Visit one of our locations for exceptional eye care and glaucoma treatment.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that occurs when there is increased fluid pressure within the eye. If left untreated, this pressure can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness today.
The Different Types of Glaucoma
The two most frequently occurring types are primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.
With primary open-angle glaucoma, the eye’s drainage canals are open but they have become less efficient in draining fluid. Fluid build-up causes the pressure to build up slowly over time, so you may not be aware of the problem until your optic nerve is already damaged. At first, vision remains normal. As the pressure continues to damage the optic nerve, patients may notice a loss or blurring of their side vision. If left untreated, the field of vision continues to narrow more and more, leading to eventual blindness.
In angle-closure glaucoma, the iris (the part of the eye that creates eye color) blocks the entrance to the drainage canal, sometimes causing the pressure within the eye to build up suddenly. Symptoms of an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack include severe eye pain, red eye, blurred vision, headache, nausea, and vomiting. This is a true emergency that can lead to blindness if not treated promptly. More commonly, however, the iris blocks the entrance to the drainage canal more slowly and causes chronic angle-closure glaucoma. Cataract formation, too, can sometimes lead to angle closure. Thorough glaucoma eye exams can detect narrow angles that are at risk of closure. Laser treatment to the iris can usually prevent angle-closure glaucoma.
What are the symptoms
Glaucoma often goes unnoticed in its early stages because it usually does not cause pain or immediate changes in vision. If you have glaucoma, you probably won’t notice any warning signs or symptoms until your vision has suffered irreversible damage. That’s why it is crucial to identify glaucoma symptoms and treatment before your situation worsens.
Am I at Risk
Glaucoma typically affects people over the age of 40, but it can occur at any age. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, but some groups are at higher risk than others. People age 65 or older, family members of those already diagnosed with glaucoma, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, diabetics, and those who are nearsighted or who have suffered severe injury to the eye are all at elevated risk. Cataract formation is another risk factor.
Again, early detection is the key to slowing or halting the progression of this disease. If you have any of these risk factors, we recommend that you schedule a thorough eye examination to evaluate for glaucoma.
How is Glaucoma Diagnosed
Because early detection is so important to limit the vision loss associated with glaucoma, regular eye examinations are recommended. Elevated pressure within the eye and other indicators of glaucoma, such as optic nerve damage, can be detected only by a thorough examination. At Carolina Eyecare Physicians, we offer advanced state-of-the-art computerized evaluation techniques to detect early signs of optic nerve damage and peripheral vision loss associated with glaucoma.
Can Glaucoma be Prevented
No, but regular eye exams can make it possible to prevent much of the vision loss caused by glaucoma. The doctors of Carolina Eyecare Physicians are dedicated to providing the most advanced techniques, equipment, and expertise to help preserve the vision you need to live life on your own terms.
What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma often goes unnoticed in its early stages because it usually does not cause pain or immediate changes in vision. If you have glaucoma, you probably won’t notice any warning signs or symptoms until your vision has suffered irreversible damage. That’s why it is crucial to identify glaucoma symptoms and treatment before your situation worsens.
Am I at Risk for Glaucoma?
Glaucoma typically affects people over the age of 40, but it can occur at any age.
While anyone can develop glaucoma, some people have a higher risk. These factors include:
- Age
- Certain medical conditions
- Family history
- Previous eye injury
- Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
Because early detection is so important to limit the vision loss associated with glaucoma, regular eye examinations are recommended. Elevated pressure within the eye and other indicators of glaucoma, such as optic nerve damage, can only be detected by a thorough examination.
At Carolina Eyecare Physicians, we offer advanced state-of-the-art computerized evaluation techniques to detect early signs of optic nerve damage and peripheral vision loss associated with glaucoma.
Can Glaucoma be Prevented?
Glaucoma can’t be prevented but regular eye exams can make it possible to prevent much of the vision loss caused by glaucoma. The doctors of Carolina Eyecare Physicians are dedicated to providing the most advanced techniques, equipment, and expertise to help preserve the vision you need to live life on your own terms.
Treating Glaucoma
Carolina Eyecare Physicians is a leader in bringing the latest technologies to our patients. We can offer specialized glaucoma treatment for your unique needs and recommend the most effective options to control eye pressure and prevent vision loss.
Our available treatments include:
- Medication: A variety of eye drops and oral medications exist to control glaucoma—your doctor can recommend different medications based on your needs
- Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT): SLT uses short energy pulses to reduce intraocular pressure for patients with open-angle glaucoma
- Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (DSLT): DSLT is a noninvasive, “non-contact” procedure useing a self-guided laser that works to stimulate the drainage of intraocular fluid, which lowers the pressure in the eye efficiently and precisely.
- Minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery: Minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery involves placing a stent to help bypass normal fluid drainage, lowering eye pressure
- Trabeculectomy: Trabeculectomy is a type of glaucoma surgery used to create a new pathway for fluid to drain inside of the eye
- Tube implants: Tube implants are silicone tubes implanted into the eye to assist in fluid drainage to keep eye pressure down
Detect Glaucoma Before It Worsens
Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to severe vision loss and blindness. With an early diagnosis, our team at Carolina Eyecare Physicians can help preserve and protect your vision.
Contact us for an eye exam so we can detect glaucoma before it worsens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of modern glaucoma treatment?
The main goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve to prevent further vision loss. Treatments range from eye drops and medications to minimally invasive procedures and surgery, chosen based on your exam and disease stage.
What early signs should make me suspect glaucoma symptoms?
Early on, glaucoma symptoms are often subtle or absent; many people notice no change until peripheral vision is affected. If you experience sudden eye pain, blurred vision, severe headaches, or nausea, seek urgent care because some glaucoma types can present acutely.
How often should I get a glaucoma eye exam?
Frequency depends on your risk: most adults over 40 should have regular comprehensive eye exams, and higher-risk individuals (family history, diabetes, high myopia, or age 65+) may need more frequent glaucoma eye exam visits. Your eye care team will recommend a personalized schedule after an initial assessment.
When should I see a glaucoma specialist instead of my regular eye doctor?
See a glaucoma specialist if tests show progressing optic nerve damage, uncontrolled eye pressure despite treatment, or when advanced procedures are being considered. Specialists focus on medical and surgical glaucoma care. Early referral helps preserve vision and opens access to advanced treatment options.
Is glaucoma laser surgery a good option, and what does recovery look like?
Glaucoma laser surgery (like SLT or newer DSLT techniques) can lower intraocular pressure with a quick office procedure and is often used before or alongside drops; recovery is usually fast with minimal downtime. Your glaucoma specialist will explain risks, benefits, and follow-up so you know what to expect for your situation.
Locations
We have several convenient locations throughout South Carolina. Please view the nearest location to you or get directions below.
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