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Glaucoma Specialist

Whitson Vision

Board-Certified Ophthalmologists located in Avon, IN & Indianapolis, IN

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can lead to permanent damage and vision loss if not detected early enough to be treated. At Whitson Vision in Indianapolis and Avon, Indiana, our team uses the latest diagnostic technology to determine if you’re at risk for developing glaucoma. Since early detection is essential in preventing irreversible vision loss and optic nerve damage from glaucoma, regular vision exams are a necessity. Contact the office online or by phone to request an appointment.

Glaucoma Q & A

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damages your optic nerve and can lead to blindness. Vision damage from glaucoma occurs when the pressure in your eye is abnormally high. Unfortunately, glaucoma often has no warning signs until you notice a drastic change in your vision, and by then, it’s at an advanced stage. There’s no cure for vision loss or damage as a result of glaucoma, which is why it’s so important to have regular eye exams and screenings for eye pressure.

When glaucoma is detected early enough, you can prevent vision loss or slow it down significantly. If one of our physicians diagnoses you with glaucoma, it generally requires a lifelong treatment plan to keep the condition from progressing.

What are the most common symptoms of glaucoma?

Early stages of glaucoma often present no symptoms, but depending on the type of glaucoma you have, you may experience the following:

  • Blind spots in your peripheral vision
  • Tunnel vision
  • Severe headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Halos or rainbow-colored rings around lights
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Red eyes

Different symptoms are associated with the different types of glaucoma. The most common type is primary open-angle glaucoma, though you can also develop acute angle-closure glaucoma. With both conditions, your eyes have trouble draining fluid, so it builds up in your eye and increases eye pressure, which can eventually lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss.

If you’re over 60, African-American, or have a family history of glaucoma, you could also be at a higher risk for developing the condition.

What are the treatment options for glaucoma?

Glaucoma treatments help to lower eye pressure. In most cases, our physicians prescribe eye drops or other medications to keep your eye pressure at a healthy level. If eye drops and medications don’t work on their own, laser surgery can help alleviate pressure and drain your eye properly.

Since there’s no cure for glaucoma, it’s essential to take medication regularly and get eye exams at normal intervals so your doctor can monitor your condition. Glaucoma can progress or change without warning, so eye exams are a key factor in discovering changes so you can receive the necessary treatment.

Call Whitson Vision to schedule an appointment or request a time using the convenient online booking tool.