Glaucoma Treatment in Friendswood

Glaucoma Treatment in Friendswood

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(281) 482-0066

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.

It's caused by fluid build-up and increased pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve that progressively worsens your vision. This disease can cause severe, irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

In many cases, appropriate control and treatment can help prevent further damage to the eyes and protect your vision. Parkwood Vision Center offers several treatments to help address glaucoma. Learn more about the treatments we provide and contact us to schedule an appointment.

Glaucoma diagnosis


The 2 Main Types of Glaucoma

grandfather wearing glasses holding his granddaughter

  • Open-angle glaucoma: the most common type. It is a lifelong condition that accounts for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma: a rare form of the disease which requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when the angle is closed in many or most areas between the iris and cornea, which reduces fluid drainage and increases eye pressure.

Glaucoma: The Sneaky Thief of Sight

There is a reason glaucoma is called “the sneaky thief of sight”--half the people with glaucoma don’t even know they have it! Meaning, they may not have symptoms in the early stages.

At Parkwood Vision Center, we diagnose and help preserve your vision with cutting-edge glaucoma treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

If you have a family history of glaucoma or have been diagnosed with glaucoma, contact us today.

optometrist in Friendswood


What are the Signs of Glaucoma?

glaucoma signs

As mentioned earlier, glaucoma usually shows no symptoms in its early stages. When signs do manifest, it's usually loss of tunnel vision or peripheral vision. Unfortunately, by the time vision loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed.

That said, the less common angle-closure glaucoma does show a sudden onset of symptoms, including:

  • Extreme eye pain
  • Eye redness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek prompt diagnosis and treatment by contacting Parkwood Vision Center in Friendswood or visiting your nearest emergency room.


Who's at Risk for Glaucoma?

  • Age 40 +

    The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age, with most glaucoma patients aged 40 and up. That said, there is a much rarer form of this disease (congenital glaucoma) that affects infants.

  • Family History & Ethnicity

    Your risk for developing glaucoma is higher if you have a family history of the disease. Those of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American, and Indigenous Canadian descent have a higher risk of developing this disease.

  • Other Conditions

    High myopia, hypertension and diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

  • Eye Injury or Trauma

    An eye injury, trauma or eye surgery can increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.


Common Glaucoma Treatments

There is currently no cure for glaucoma. However, several treatments are available to prevent the progression of this sight-robbing condition. With the right care, you have a higher chance of managing your glaucoma and preserving your vision.

Common treatments include:

Eye Drops

Your optometrist will prescribe eye drops to help regulate pressure inside the eye by decreasing fluid production and/or improving drainage.

Laser Surgery

If eye drops aren’t doing enough to reduce intraocular pressure or intraocular temperature in open-angle glaucoma, laser surgery may be an option. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) opens up the drainage system in the eye to reduce pressure.

SLT is successful in 80% of cases and can reduce eye pressure by 20%.

Other Surgeries

If a laser procedure or eye drops do not lower eye pressure to the desired level, your eye doctor may recommend one of the following surgeries:

  • Incision Surgery
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants

Glaucoma Testing Treatment FAQs

How does an eye doctor diagnose glaucoma?

Since glaucoma has no side effects early on, it is essential for people with a family history of risk factors for glaucoma to get tested. The following tests diagnose glaucoma:

  • Tonometry: measures the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP)
  • Ophthalmoscopy (dilated eye exam): examines the shape and color of the optic nerve
  • Perimetry: measures your field of vision
  • Gonioscopy: checks the angle where the iris meets the cornea
  • Pachymetry: determines the thickness of the cornea to better evaluate eye pressure.
What foods should you avoid if you have glaucoma?

The following are the foods every glaucoma patient should consider avoiding immediately. It should help keep your optic nerve healthy and minimize eye pressure.

  • Caffeine - certain studies show that caffeine contributes to increased intraocular pressure.
  • Saturated fats - a diet high in saturated fats can lead to weight gain, which not only increases intraocular pressure but also cholesterol levels.
  • Trans fats - try to limit your consumption of trans fats because they can also raise cholesterol levels
  • Salt - make sure to consume salt sparingly, as increased blood pressure can indirectly lead to intraocular pressure.
What percentage of glaucoma patients go blind?

About 60% of patients diagnosed with glaucoma will eventually lose some vision.

However, the rate of legal blindness among glaucoma patients is 5%. Getting effective treatment early on will greatly increase your ability to preserve and maximize your vision.

Patient Reviews
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338 Reviews
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- Aug. 19, 2024
Nice place, great people
- Aug. 12, 2024
I would highly recommend this place, Dr. Kvinta was great! 5 stars
- Aug. 08, 2024
Friendly and professional staff! Prompt and thorough appointment. My 6 year old had her first eye ex... am and they were patient and wonderful about making her feel comfortable and answering all the curious questions she had.
- Jul. 22, 2024
Very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff. Highly recommend this place!!!
- Jun. 01, 2024
Good service. Lots of attention to detail. Helpful and friendly.
- May. 30, 2024
Friendly professional staff. Quick service.
- May. 26, 2024
Dr. Rader got me a better prescription and was very knowledgeable. The whole staff was so nice and w... elcoming! I recommend my sister and aunt right away!
- May. 26, 2024
Great experience, staff and Dr. were all outstanding!
- May. 10, 2024
This is my second year coming to this eye doctor and I am glad I did. Amazing doctor and staff. I or... dered my contacts and they were there within 2 days which was great!!
- Apr. 18, 2024
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Great experience!
- Apr. 14, 2024
It was a good experience from the eye exam to picking frames to getting new glasses.
- Mar. 16, 2024
Great optometrist and staff. He helped me get a better prescription which in turn improved headaches... and blurred vision in one eye for years.
- Mar. 15, 2024
Great environment, staff and Doctors!! Easy to make apts, questions are always answered, and after g... oing to several different clinics, this is where my family and I will be staying!
- Jan. 16, 2024
Techs are so friendly and knowledgeable & dr.kvinta has a great attitude. Everyone is so nice and we... lcoming, these visits are always efficient and easy.
- Jan. 08, 2024
Very friendly and helpful. Did not have to wait a long time for the appointment to finish and was a ... week to pick up glasses.
- Dec. 23, 2023
Short wait time, respectful staff, knowledgeable doctor, and no pressure to purchase exam day. Highl... y recommended
- Dec. 18, 2023
Excellet service, attetive staff and Dr. Kvita was wonderful! I want to add Dr. Dana she was excelle... nt and and I am so delighted that I found this eye center.
- Nov. 16, 2023
Very Professional and kind. Made me feel as if I've known them.
- Nov. 08, 2023
Everyone is so nice and professional. Very little wait time and my glasses were ready pretty quickly... . The office is very clean and feels like you're at home. Highly recommend.
- Nov. 05, 2023
My husband and I went for our yearly eye checkup with Dr. Monica Jones. She is such a wonderful pers... on. We look forward to seeing her every year. Would highly recommend her.

View All 338 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Friendswood

Our optometry practice in Friendswood

Photograph of Tyler  Kvinta
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(281) 482-0066