Glaucoma Treatment in Pine City

Glaucoma Treatment in Pine City

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(320) 629-7262

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. Pine Eye Associates 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 Pine Eye Associates, 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 Pine City


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 Pine Eye Associates in Pine City 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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147 Reviews
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- Oct. 07, 2024
Dr Toler is outstanding! She is very thorough and is great at explaining things. I like the new equi... pment. I am looking forward to seeing her for many years.
- Oct. 03, 2024
Really nice people!
- Sep. 24, 2024
Quality exams and caring providers.
- Jul. 03, 2024
Friendly professional service in a timely manner, much appreciated!
- Jun. 16, 2024
Great service and the quality of both eyewear and accuracy of prescription is top notch.
- May. 16, 2024
Staff is very helpful assisting with picking out frames. Always very kind.
- May. 14, 2024
It was a pleasant experience!
- May. 05, 2024
Dr Garofalo is one the best opthamologists! Great office, friendly staff who care.
- Apr. 20, 2024
Very happy with service provided and friendly, efficient staff!
- Apr. 10, 2024
A friendly place.
- Apr. 10, 2024
Staff are always professional, pleasant and helpful.
- Apr. 07, 2024
The Dr. and staff have a very professional yet joyful attitude when talking with patients.
- Mar. 26, 2024
I felt welcomed and comfortable. Dr. Benedict was very thorough and checked me completely.
- Mar. 22, 2024
Been going here since I was 6 years old. Staff and doctors are great! I'll continue to go out of the... way to make sure I go see them. Always trusted them 100% to take care of my eyes.
- Mar. 20, 2024
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Took time to explain tests and results.
- Mar. 18, 2024
I am so grateful for the team at Pine Eye. I went in for a routine checkup knowing that my eyes had ... changed since the last visit. Dr. T. was honest with her genuine concern over the significant changes that had taken place and validated the feelings I had about my much my vision had been affected. I’ve got my new glasses and can see quite nicely.
- Mar. 14, 2024
Thanks! Great experience!
- Mar. 01, 2024
Dr. Garafalo is very talented, very thorough, and totally engaged in a great outcome or solution for... his patients. We are so glad we were referred to him by a friend. We highly recommend him as well.
- Feb. 17, 2024
Very thorough and were able to allay my fears
- Feb. 15, 2024
I’ve been to numerous optometrists in the past 4-5 years & always left with a new rx but still not... being able to see clearly. I always felt like I was crazy and just expecting to see “perfect” and that it was no longer an option after age 35 🤣. Dr Benedict took the time to figure out why I was having so much trouble with my overall vision for YEARS. He did some extra testing in my exam and found the problem. It literally changed my life! I also no longer feel like a hypochondriac 🤣

View All 147 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Pine City

Our optometry practice in Pine City

Photograph of Cody  Benedict
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(320) 629-7262