Orange Beach, AL
Glaucoma Diagnosis &
Co-management
Orange Beach, AL
GLAUCOMA DIAGNOSIS & CO-MANAGEMENT
Many people have heard the term glaucoma before but may not know what it is. Glaucoma isn’t just one disease but a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, which sends visual messages from your eyes to your brain. The damage is usually caused by increased pressure within the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). This pressure can harm the optic nerve over time, leading to gradual vision loss.
Glaucoma is called the “silent thief of sight” because it slowly and painlessly causes permanent vision loss. The symptoms can happen so slowly that you may not notice any vision changes until the damage is severe. The best way to prevent vision loss is to see your eye doctor regularly. During a comprehensive eye exam at Coastal Family Eyecare, our eye doctor, Dr. Wilder, can check for signs of glaucoma before symptoms develop and recommend treatment to preserve your vision.
Glaucoma treatment in Orange Beach
Dr. Wilder will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the type of glaucoma, the severity of the disease, and your specific needs. The first line of treatment for most people with glaucoma is prescription eye drops. Some eye drops reduce fluid production in the eye while others increase drainage. Oral medications can also help decrease fluid production, or Dr. Wilder may recommend laser surgery if eye drops don’t improve your symptoms. This is a procedure where a beam of high-energy light is directed at a part of your eye to prevent fluid from building up. If eye drops and laser surgery don’t work well for you, you may need glaucoma surgery. Glaucoma medications are known to increase the risk of dry eye, which is why we perform dry eye screenings for our glaucoma patients.
Surgery co-management for glaucoma
If surgery becomes necessary, we will refer you to an ophthalmologist for the procedure. We will work closely with them to ensure you receive the best care possible. After surgery, our team at Coastal Family Eyecare will continue to support you with thorough post-operative care. We will schedule regular check-ups to monitor your recovery and ensure the surgery was successful.
If you have any questions or concerns about glaucoma or need to schedule an appointment, give us a call today or book an appointment online.