Parkhurst Nuvision LASIK Eye SurgeryParkhurst Nuvision LASIK Eye Surgery Logo
(210) 585-2020 icon phone call BOOK VISION CORRECTION EVALUATION

Glaucoma Treatment

Besides cataracts and loss of near vision, the most common eye problems people develop with age is glaucoma. Glaucoma is typically silent at first (no obvious symptoms), and it tends to affect the side vision. It is very important to get an eye exam to detect the disease as early as possible.

I had the best experience at Parkhurst. The facility and staff are unbeatable. I had finally had enough. You won’t regret it.

Maricella

Did you know it is possible that even toward the “end-stage” of glaucoma that a person’s vision can be 20/20 on the eye chart? It’s true, but 20/20 vision in this scenario is only seen through what appears like looking through a paper towel roll, where the entire side vision is missing, 360 degrees, all the way around.

Glaucoma typically develops very slowly over the years and tends to creep in little-by-little, year-by-year. It results from damage to the optic nerve (the cable that connects the eye to the vision area of our brains), and unfortunately, once the nerve is damaged, there is no way to repair or replace it. Therefore the key is prevention offered by Parkhurst NuVision, typically via laser, microsurgical, or daily eye drop treatment.

Good News For People in San Antonio with Glaucoma

A revolutionary surgical treatment for glaucoma is now available for patients who find daily eye drop treatment inconvenient. The iStent was recently approved by the FDA for treatment of mild and moderate glaucoma, and in clinical trials was found to be an effective treatment that resulted in significantly less need for use of daily eye drops to treat glaucoma. Similar to cardiac stents used in patients with heart problems, the iStent opens pressure drainage channels in the eye, permanently treating glaucoma. The iStent is the smallest implantable device ever approved by the FDA for implantation anywhere in the human body.

glaucoma chart

Glaucoma FAQs

Q.
Is glaucoma painful?

No. Glaucoma is typically not painful, except for in severe or advanced cases.

Q.
How do I prevent glaucoma?

Having an eye exam early in the disease process and getting proper treatment is the best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. In this regard, glaucoma is similar to high blood pressure: when treated, complications can often be prevented.

Q.
Is glaucoma hereditary or does glaucoma run in families?

Yes, one of the most important risk factors for glaucoma is having a family member with the disease.

Q.
What causes high eye pressure?

The front part of our eyes is bathed in a clear fluid called aqueous humor. This fluid is constantly being produced and recycled providing nutrition to microscopic parts or our eye’s anatomy, and there is an intricate balance of fluid production and drainage, which defines our intraocular pressure. It’s easy to think about if you compare the front part of your eye to a kitchen sink. If the faucet is on too high, or the drain is not draining properly, more water is collected and stored. In the case of the eye, this causes pressure to elevate. High eye pressure is typically caused by too much aqueous humor production, or more commonly, a problem with the eye’s drain.

Q.
Does smoking pot or marijuana cause glaucoma?

No. Cannabis does not cause glaucoma.

Q.
Is smoking marijuana a treatment for glaucoma?

Smoking marijuana does lower eye pressure. However, the effect only lasts about 3-4 hours. In order to lower eye pressure around the clock, it would have to be smoked 6-8 times a day. Considering other side effects: probably not the best idea.

Q.
Is there a cure for glaucoma?

Several treatment options are now available to permanently treat the disease. During and after treatment, glaucoma requires permanent monitoring and surveillance because, unlike cataracts, there is no cure at this time.

More Information

If you or a family member has glaucoma. Please contact us today for a consultation to discuss whether iStent or other treatments for glaucoma is an option for you. You may fill out our web form, or simply call 210-585-2020. We have people standing by to help answer your questions and schedule a consultation with the doctor.

Parkhurst Logo

Get Treatment for Glaucoma

Request a consultation to get started!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Which office do you prefer?*
Best Time for Your Consultation
Interested In:*
Age*
How did you hear about us?*
Terms of Use*
*Communications through our website or via email are not encrypted and are not necessarily secure. Use of the Internet or email is for your convenience only, and by using them, you assume the risk of unauthorized use.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.