Glaucoma Treatment in Edwardsville

Glaucoma Treatment in Edwardsville

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

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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. Edwardsville Vision Center 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.

Preserve Your Vision For Longer

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 Edwardsville Vision Center, 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 Edwardsville


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 Edwardsville Vision Center in Edwardsville 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.


Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Edwardsville

Our optometry practice in Edwardsville

Photograph of Natalie  Hutchison
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed
  • MetLife

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
Patient Reviews
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301 Reviews
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- Feb. 13, 2024
I had an eye vision appointment on 2/13/24. Great overall experience and great environment! Friendly... and very nice staff. I would definitely recommend this place for all your vision needs. Thanks for a great experience. 👍
- Jan. 17, 2024
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- Jan. 11, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ across the board! I had an appointment for a glasses and contacts exa... m with Dr. Boatman 1/10/24. I was greeted warmly by the staff up front and quickly moved into the testing room with the assistant where I had my preliminary tests done (I can’t remember her name but she was informative and kind). After those tests, Dr. Boatman greeted me across the hall and carefully walked me through my exam. She was friendly, thorough and understanding. I have tried several different types of contacts over the last 20+ years and have struggled finding anything comfortable. She listened to my concerns and was able to recommend a new type specific for my astigmatism and even had some trial lenses to give me before I make a final decision. I went back up front to finish my appointment and pay. I had a few questions about my insurance and prescription and the staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I’ve been going to the eye doctor since I was 8 years old; it’s not always a pleasant experience. This is not the case at Edwardsville Vision Center. Dr. Boatman and the staff were fantastic! 10/10 recommend 🤗
- Jan. 08, 2024
I love this establishment. They were very nice and efficient and got the job done.
- Nov. 10, 2023
Highly impressed with how friendly staff members are. The doctor is fabulous. Definitely a great pla... ce to bring children.
- Oct. 05, 2023
They were very very AWESOME
- Sep. 18, 2023
Great staff and convenient location to my home.
- Sep. 14, 2023
Excellent services, helpful staff. Everyone is friendly and knowledgeable!
- Sep. 11, 2023
Everyone was professional and very friendly. Had my new glasses quicker than I expected.
- Aug. 27, 2023
Quick and great experience.
- Aug. 21, 2023
Great staff and plenty of frames to choose from. I have been a customer for years and am always ha... ppy with every visit.
- Aug. 11, 2023
The staff are excellent - friendly, knowledgeable, and make you feel at ease.
- Aug. 09, 2023
Great staff and experience. Dr Ashley Marvin is very knowledgeable and personable. Staff was very fr... iendly and helpful. My son was so nervous about his first exam and he absolutely loved his experience. He can’t wait to go back. Highly recommend!
- Jul. 10, 2023
Great service, kind,courteous staff
- Jul. 09, 2023
Quick and easy to book an appointment. Nice people 🙂
- Jun. 23, 2023
We started going to Edwardsville Vision Center when my son needed his Kindergarten eye exam and we w... ere finding it difficult to get him in anywhere. 4 years later and we go back every year, wonderful staff who have been there as long as we have. The eye Doctors are all great and wonderful with the kiddos and myself.
- Jun. 11, 2023
Great staff and great service. I know I'm not, but it feels like I get special treatment. They a... ctually remember their customers.
- Mar. 23, 2023
Very friendly staff and helpful.
- Mar. 13, 2023
Go every year, Luv this place. Dr. Is awesome and also all staff. Professional, friendly, helpful.... Always helps me choose best frames for my face. I gather 3 Frames I like and girls help with their opinion as to their choice for me. Always works out. Always satisfied with everything. I go there every year.
- Jan. 24, 2023
It was my first time there, the doctor was super nice and so were the rest of the people working the... re. No one pushed any purchases on me at the end, which was appreciated. I plan on coming back!

View All 301 Reviews

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.


glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

Schedule Eye Exam