Glaucoma Diagnosis & Co-Management

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve, which transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain. It typically occurs because of elevated eye pressure and can result in significant vision loss or even blindness. The two main types of glaucoma are open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Both types can cause severe and irreversible vision loss, and regular eye exams are critical to detecting the disease before serious damage occurs.

At Giles Eye Care, Dr. Tracy K. Giles can diagnose glaucoma through a comprehensive eye exam. Glaucoma can be managed but must be diagnosed early. Vision loss due to glaucoma cannot be restored.

Glaucoma diagnosis in Portland, ME

Known as the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma has no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Typically, patients don’t notice vision loss until the disease advances to later stages.

Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma can minimize or prevent damage to the optic nerve and subsequent vision loss. Since symptoms are often absent, regular eye exams are the best way to diagnose glaucoma. During a comprehensive eye exam at Giles Eye Care, Dr. Giles will measure your eye pressure and check for other signs of the disease. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, your doctor will recommend treatment to help preserve your vision.

Treatment for Glaucoma

While there is no cure for glaucoma, proper treatment and management can greatly delay or reduce the adverse effects of the disease.

The main goal of treating glaucoma is to reduce eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Treatment for glaucoma will vary based on the type and severity of the condition. If you have glaucoma, Dr. Giles will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

Glaucoma treatment and management may include:

• Prescription eye drops
• Medicine
• Surgery

In some cases, your eye doctor may recommend surgery if other treatments do not lower your eye pressure to a safe level. We will refer you to an ophthalmologist in the area who will run extensive tests and decide if surgery is necessary. After the surgery is performed, Dr. Giles will monitor your progress and recovery during follow-up visits.

The focus is on lowering the pressure in your eye with either medication or surgery. More frequent examinations to monitor progress may be recommended.

Our highly skilled and dedicated optometrist is here to support your vision needs. If you are noticing any changes in your vision, schedule your comprehensive eye exam with Giles Eye Care today.