Glaucoma Treatment in Spring

Glaucoma Treatment

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. Memorial Eye Center - Rayford 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.

Getting routine eye exams is crucial, as they can check for any eye diseases that may be lurking under the surface to prevent any problems from arising by catching them early on.

At Memorial Eye Center - Rayford, 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 Spring


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 Memorial Eye Center - Rayford in Spring 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

Our optometry practice in Spring

Photograph of Kim-Van Chau
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Blue Cross

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 IOT 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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116 Reviews
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- Sep. 08, 2022
Called to schedule my husband an appointment and the lady at the front desk was able to get him in i... mmediately. His appointment was scheduled for 30 minutes from the time I called which was great. We were greeted by two ladies as soon as we walked in the door. Wait time was minimal, less than 3 minutes. The staff was friendly and helpful. Megan is the absolute best she’s always willing to help in any way. The waiting area and the exam room were very clean and well kept. Plus they had a great playlist!
- Sep. 28, 2021
Kayla was excellent!
- Jun. 04, 2021
The staff and glasses selection at my visit today were fantastic. This crew is especially knowledgea... ble and helpful. Honestly they all deserve a significant raise for the expertise, care, and professionalism they bring to the practice!
- Feb. 12, 2021
Everyone there is friendly and professional.
- Oct. 31, 2020
Memorial Eye Center (formerly Today's Vision) is my go-to place for eye exams. The staff are friend... ly, polite & professional. The exams are thorough and you never feel like anything has been missed. Dr. Patel explains any questions you have in as much detail as you want. I always learn something from him.
- Oct. 20, 2020
First time to visit this location and quite some time since I had an eye exam. I was very fortunate ... on the first try to meet Dr. Patel and the staff at the Rayford office. Very knowledgeable. Very honest. Very straightforward. Very professional. Very courteous.
- Oct. 24, 2019
I have been a happy patient of Dr. Patel's for almost a decade. I couldn't ask for better service. M... y family and I would not go any place else for our eye care.
- Oct. 07, 2019
Great atmosphere and service!!!
- Sep. 27, 2019
I just moved to the area and walked into the office to get information. They brought me in for an ex... am right then! Super friendly doctor and staff!
- Sep. 14, 2019
Everyone was very nice
- Sep. 06, 2019
Staff is efficient and friendly. Dr. Patel very engaging and professional. Highly recommended.
- Aug. 26, 2019
Dr. Patel is always so happy and high energy. I wish I could find a family practitioner that cares f... or their patients the way Dr. P does. My family and I always enjoy our yearly visits. I love the new front lobby staff too!
- Aug. 22, 2019
Always top notch care in a very pleasant environment.
- Aug. 15, 2019
My whole family sees dr. Patel, hes very nice and the staff is great!
- Jul. 29, 2019
Dr. Patel is the best! Takes great care of my family. Thoroughly answers our questions and never mak... es us feel rushed. The best part is that he isn't just in it for the quick buck, as he has been very conservative in advising on glasses for both of my children. He also took the time to explain blue light to my boys and the importance of turning off their tablets at least an hour before bedtime. I highly recommend!
- Jul. 23, 2019
Dr. Patel is easily the best eye doctor I have ever seen. I am 51 years old and have worn glasses si... nce I was 5, so I have seen many eye doctors over the years, he beats them all. I first saw him in Spring, then followed him to College Station (yes, I drove from Spring to CS just to see him, multiple times) and now back to the Woodlands. Every eye doctor and surgeon I had ever seen told me I was the most far-sighted patient they had ever encountered, and he was no different. To add to that I have astigmatisms in both eyes, am diabetic and am myopic, near legally blind in my left eye, so I was and am a high-maintenance patient. I literally could not function without my eyewear, and at the time wore the strongest contacts available, with +4 cheaters on top of them when I needed to read. Dr. Patel was very instrumental in helping me attain lense replacement and lasic sugery, which at the time most places were turning me away due to my vison being so poor. However, he spoke with the surgeons and supplied referrals which no doubt helped me attain my dream of eye surgery, which was above and beyond his responsibility. His staff is also great, very knowledgeable and friendly, always greeting with a smile and a super attitude and also a big help picking out frames, of which they have a huge selection. He uses all the latest, cutting edge equipment, his office is always clean and looking great. You wont find a better or more caring or attentive eye doctor, he also has great prices and will work with anyone. I have seen him for over 10 years, and he now takes care of my entire family, which makes 5 of us. We have four different insurance plans and he accomodates them all. I wouldn’t dream of ever seeing anyone else. This may sound like a commercial, or a fake review, but I am just a patient, and its all true. However, I am obviously a very, extremely satisfied patient. If you ever see him once you won’t go anywhere else, promise.
- Jul. 17, 2019
The staff was friendly and helpful. The Doctor was patient and thoughtful to my problem and explaine... d my issues so I understood his finding and plan for action.
- Jul. 16, 2019
Dr. Patel is phenomenal!!! Very knowledgeable and GREAT with our kids. He's very detailed but pract... ical, not just looking to make money. He's genuine in his assessment.
- Jul. 01, 2019
Great visit! I was in and out in less than an hour. Everyone in the office was fantastic!
- Jun. 25, 2019
I have been a patient here for several years now and I have nothing but great things to say. I would... n't go anywhere else. Dr. Patel is constantly updating his knowledge, his practice, and takes care of me like family.

View All 116 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 as 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