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  • Dr. Salm examining patient

Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can result in vision loss or blindness. With early detection and innovative treatment options, the team at Valley Eye Associates can help protect your eyes against the most serious effects of glaucoma.

Several factors can contribute to your eye’s risk of glaucoma, such as eye pressure and blood pressure. Some people can tolerate higher levels of eye pressure better than others, but glaucoma develops when the pressure is high enough to damage the optic nerve.

Some people are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma, including:

  • African Americans over the age of 40
  • Anyone over the age of 60
  • People with a family history of glaucoma

When glaucoma first develops, patients usually do not experience any pain or symptoms. Over time, peripheral vision continues to be lost. This peripheral vision loss will continue to slowly move toward the central vision, until no vision remains. Because of this, it’s important to diagnose and treat glaucoma as early as possible to preserve and protect vision.

While there is no cure for glaucoma, advanced glaucoma treatment at Valley Eye Associates can ensure your vision is protected from the most serious effects of glaucoma. Valley Eye Associates offers the following treatments for glaucoma:

Eye Drops

Medicinal eye drops are the most common early treatment for glaucoma. Used regularly, eye drops can lower the eye pressure and protect vision. Some eye drops cause the eye to create less of the fluid that raises eye pressure, while other drops help lower pressure by causing fluid to be drained out of the eye at a faster rate. It’s important to use glaucoma eye drops properly.

iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass

iStent is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA, and it is designed to treat glaucoma as part of your cataract surgery. The iStent works by draining fluid from your eye to reduce eye pressure. Through better control of your eye pressure using the iStent, your doctor can help stop the progression of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States and the team at Valley Eye Associates can help you control your glaucoma and protect your vision. To schedule a glaucoma evaluation, please call us at (800) 344‑4443 or fill out our contact form and someone from our office will contact you shortly.

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