Glaucoma is a common eye condition that can gradually damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss if left untreated. With regular eye exams and expert care, glaucoma can often be managed to help protect your sight.
At MU Health Care, we provide the most advanced care for glaucoma in central Missouri. Our general and fellowship-trained ophthalmologists (eye doctors) are experts in diagnosing glaucoma in the early stages and using leading-edge technology to treat it. We also offer less invasive glaucoma surgeries.
Glaucoma Symptoms
Glaucoma may not cause symptoms until the disease has become severe. However, you should see an ophthalmologist right away if you experience any signs of glaucoma, such as:
- Blurred vision or vision loss
- Loss of side (peripheral) vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye pain
- Seeing “halos” around lights
- Severe headaches
Glaucoma doesn’t always affect both eyes, so you may only notice symptoms in one eye.
Without treatment, glaucoma can cause permanent blindness. That’s why having regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist is so important, especially if you:
- Have a family history of glaucoma
- Are older than 55
- Have diabetes, high blood pressure or migraines
- Are Latino or of African or Asian descent
- Are extremely nearsighted or farsighted
- Have a cornea transplant
- Had a retinal detachment
Getting Help for Glaucoma
Ophthalmologists at MU Health Care are specialists in diagnosing glaucoma, whether it’s in its early stages or more progressed. We can help if you have symptoms or have a family history of glaucoma and want to get checked. You can get a referral from your optometrist or primary care provider, or reach out to us directly.
Advanced incisional surgery expertise
We treat the following two types of glaucoma:
- Open-angle: The most common type of glaucoma, occurs when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time, damaging the optic nerve.
- Closed-angle: Also called narrow-angle, characterized by a closing or narrowing of the angle between the iris and cornea, reducing fluid drainage and causing pressure to build inside the eye.
Glaucoma Diagnosis at MU Health Care
During your first appointment, we’ll ask questions about your medical and family history. We’ll also perform several tests, such as:
- Dilated eye exam: Checks your optic nerve and other parts of your eye.
- Applanation tonometry: Measures pressure inside the eye with greater accuracy than “air puff” tests or pencil type probes. Before this test, you’ll receive numbing eyedrops with a fluorescent dye. Then, the doctor will gently put a device on your eye surface to measure the pressure.
- Gonioscopy: A painless test that uses a special lens and slit lamp to provide more insights into your glaucoma, such as whether it is open- or closed-angle.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Assesses the optic nerve for damage.
- Visual field test: Checks your ability to see varying degrees of light flashes to measure your vision.
- Corneal thickness test: Evaluates your risk for glaucoma.
