Glaucoma Specialist
Negrey Eye Associates
Ophthalmologists & Eye Surgeons located in Havertown, PA
About 3 million American adults have glaucoma today, and this disease is a very common cause of blindness. At Negrey Eye Associates, ophthalmologist Michael Negrey, MD, and the dedicated staff provide glaucoma diagnosis, management, and treatment in Havertown, Pennsylvania. By scheduling regular eye exams and taking the right steps now, you can fight glaucoma and keep your eyesight. Book an appointment online or call the office in Havertown, Pennsylvania, to learn more.
Glaucoma Q & A
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that affects your optic nerve. Without treatment, it can steadily worsen until you lose your eyesight. Glaucoma types include:
Primary open-angle glaucoma
This kind of glaucoma causes gradual and painless changes within your eye. The fluid within your eye doesn't drain properly, so it builds up to increase eye pressure and damage the optic nerve.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a rare form of the disease that can occur if your iris is close to your eye's drainage angle. This blocks drainage and can spike eye pressure suddenly.
Although rare, it's also possible to have glaucoma without experiencing an increase in eye pressure.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
With open-angle glaucoma, you don't typically experience obvious changes early on. Later, you could experience blind spots in your side vision. You can get an open-angle glaucoma diagnosis during regular eye exams, before it causes symptoms.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma often happens suddenly, so you might have symptoms that include:
- Headache
- Eye pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Halos around lights
- Rainbows around lights
These symptoms require emergency attention. Negrey Eye Associates offers urgent care and can treat all types of glaucoma.
How is glaucoma treated?
You can prevent further glaucoma damage with treatment options such as:
Eye drops
Eye drops reduce fluid production, improve fluid outflow, or both. This lowers your eye pressure and can prevent glaucoma progression.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)
SLT is a treatment option for open-angle glaucoma that doesn’t respond to eye drops. This laser procedure improves the drainage system in your eye.
Laser peripheral iridotomy
Laser peripheral iridotomy is an acute angle-closure glaucoma treatment that creates a tiny opening in the outer border of your iris to open the blocked drainage angle and improve fluid outflow.
Negrey Eye Associates offers comprehensive glaucoma care. Call the office or click the online scheduler today.