2330 N Amidon Ave, Wichita, KS 67204

(316) 942-7496

2635 W Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67213

(316) 942-7496

415 SE Louis Dr, Mulvane, KS 67110

(316) 942-7496

8150 E Douglas Ave Ste 50, Wichita, KS 67206

(316) 942-7496

Wichita Optometry P.A.

(316) 942-7496

Learn about your Glaucoma Treatment Options

Our Wichita, Kansas Eye Doctor Team Explains Glaucoma Treatment Options

A diagnosis of glaucoma may be understandably upsetting and even frightening. This disease of the optic nerve, which is usually caused by excessive fluid pressure within the eye, can produce irreversible vision loss over time. The good news, however, is that glaucoma can be successfully managed through early detection and proper treatment. Our Wichita, Kansas eye doctor team wants to make sure you understand the various treatment options and exactly how they can help you protect your vision.

Ideally, the eye's intraocular fluid is produced at the same rate that it drains out of the eye. Any excess fluid usually exits the eye through outlets between the iris and cornea. In a person with glaucoma, the drainage system is usually not adequate to this task. If you have open-angle or wide-angle glaucoma, the most common variety of the disease, the drainage ports may be inhibiting drainage, causing the fluid to build up past the normal range of 12 to 22 mm Hg. This pressure damages the sensitive optic nerve, reducing its ability to convey visual information to the brain. A rare problem called narrow-angle or closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage ports are totally blocked. This is an emergency because it can cause permanent vision damage in a matter of hours. There's even a condition called normal-pressure glaucoma in which the optic nerve suffers damage due to inadequate blood flow or some unknown cause.

How can an optometrist on your team treat your glaucoma? The treatment approach depends on the type of glaucoma you have and its specific cause. An acute attack of narrow-angle glaucoma needs to be addressed immediately with medications to get the intraocular pressure down. A technique called laser iridotomy can make a tiny hole in the iris to provide immediate drainage. On the other end of the scale, normal-pressure glaucoma with no identifiable cause is best treated simply by trying to keep your intraocular pressure as close to normal as possible. 

Open-angle glaucoma can be treated through a variety of methods. Your Wichita Optometry eye doctor will try more conservative treatments such as medication first. Medications used to treat glaucoma include:

      Prostaglandin eye drops to relax the muscles that regulate drainage

      Beta-blockers or alpha-adrenergic agonists to reduce fluid production

      Oral medications that enhance the effects of other medications

If these medications aren't working, surgery to create an extra drainage flap in the eye or laser surgery to stimulate drainage can be effective. We provide the necessary pre-operative and post-operative co-management for these treatments.

Glaucoma Care Starts with an Eye Exam

Glaucoma is one of those conditions that can't be reversed, so prevention is by far the smartest strategy you can possibly take. Even if you think your eyes are fine, make sure by scheduling an eye exam with a Wichita optometrist at our clinic. The sooner we catch glaucoma, the sooner we can treat it!

Were you recently diagnosed with glaucoma? If so, did you experience any symptoms of the disorder before being checked for it?