Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness, affecting about three million Americans. At Focus Refined Eye Care, with offices in The Heights and Montrose neighborhoods of Houston, Texas, general and medical optometrist Bimal Patel, OD, provides glaucoma evaluations and treatment options. The practice has cutting-edge diagnostic imaging, including Maestro2 optical coherence tomography, allowing Dr. Patel to track changes to your optic nerve. Call Focus Refined Eye Care to schedule glaucoma testing or treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

Are there different types of glaucoma?

Yes. At Focus Refined Eye Care, Dr. Patel diagnoses and treats all four types of glaucoma:

Open-angle glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage canals in your eyes get backed up. Over time, pressure builds due to the excess fluid, damaging your optic nerve. 

Closed-angle glaucoma

Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the angle between your iris and cornea is too narrow. This blocks the drainage canals in your eye, causing a buildup of aqueous fluid. It also triggers symptoms such as eye pain and headaches.

Normal tension glaucoma

Normal tension glaucoma causes damage to your optic nerve without excess fluid pressure. Doctors don’t know why this damage occurs, but it may have something to do with genetics. People with Asian heritage are especially susceptible to normal tension glaucoma. 

Congenital glaucoma

Congenital glaucoma affects babies and occurs when the eye drainage canals don’t form properly in the womb. It’s also called pediatric glaucoma.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma doesn’t always present warning signs, but there are symptoms to watch out for, including:

• Eye pain or pressure
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Red eyes
• Low vision or narrow vision

If you or a loved one develop any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Patel at Focus Refined Eye Care. That’s especially true if you have a family history of glaucoma.

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

Dr. Patel reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam. He also orders several tests, including:

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Dr. Patel offers OCT with the Maestro2, the gold standard in ocular imaging technology. OCT is noninvasive and uses targeted light waves to capture 3D, cross-sectional photos of your optic nerve and the other structures at the back of your eye. Changes to your optic nerve often indicate glaucoma.

Virtual field headset exam

During this test, Dr. Patel uses a special headset to assess and track your peripheral vision. Because glaucoma affects your peripheral vision first, this screen provides key insights about the severity of your symptoms and the best treatment approach.

Optical pressure test

This test, also known as tonometry, measures your eye pressure. Higher-than-average eye pressure increases your risk of glaucoma. 

Dilated eye exam

Dr. Patel administers special eye drops that dilate your pupils. This lets him see the back of your eye more clearly, including your optic nerve.

How is glaucoma treated?

There’s no way to cure glaucoma, but treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and preserve your vision. Dr. Patel might suggest:

• Prescription eye drops to increase drainage
• Prescription eye drops that reduce eye pressure and relieve pain
• Laser therapy to improve fluid drainage from your eye
• Surgery to help reduce eye pressure

The treatment that will most benefit you depends on the severity of the optic nerve damage and your symptoms. If you need surgery, the team that Dr. Patel works with is exceptional.

Call Focus Refined Eye Care to schedule glaucoma treatment or testing, or book your appointment online today.