Glaucoma Treatment & Surgery in Rochester Hills & Troy, MI
At Oakland Eye Clinic we offer various glaucoma treatments that allow our Rochester Hills, Detroit, and Troy patients to preserve their vision. Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that can lead to blindness.
This is why regular, comprehensive eye exams are very important for you and your family. Glaucoma is generally categorized by increased eye pressure, however, not everyone with increased eye pressure develops glaucoma.
Likewise, glaucoma can appear with no sign or warning even in patients who have normal eye pressure. Patients who are at risk for glaucoma are those with a family history of glaucoma and everyone over the age of 60.
To our patients throughout the Rochester Hills and greater Troy areas, please contact us today to explore your comprehensive eye exam treatment options as well as glaucoma eye care.
For more information and details on glaucoma risks, prognosis, and treatments, please read the paragraphs below.
If you have low vision, be sure to explore our vision correction services as well, including laser eye surgery in Michigan. Our eye doctor helps both children and adults with all eye care needs and she is a well-known cataract surgery provider as well.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eye rises to abnormal levels. This pressure may damage to optic nerve, which leads to complete vision loss.
The optic nerve is a bundle of more than one million tiny nerves that connects the eye to the brain and allows you to see and process images as you view them.
There are several different types of glaucoma, which include:
- Low-tension to normal-tension glaucoma: In this type of glaucoma the optic nerve is damaged and the patient experiences narrow side vision. Treatment aims at lowering the pressure to slow the progression of the disease.
- Angle-closure glaucoma: The fluid in the eye becomes blocked and you will experience sudden, high pressure in the eye. This type of glaucoma is sudden and can leave you blind within 24 hours. This is a medical emergency. If you experience sudden pressure, nausea, and pain in the eye, please seek treatment immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Congenital glaucoma: is found in children born with glaucoma. Prompt treatment leads to very promising results and restored vision.
- Secondary glaucoma: develops as a result of other illnesses or medical conditions as well as injuries to the eye.
Glaucoma Causes and Prognosis
Glaucoma is a very unpredictable eye disease and it is recognized as the silent thief of sight. Anyone can be at risk for glaucoma. However, research has indicated that the following individuals tend to have an increased risk for glaucoma:
- African American over 40
- Anyone over 60
- Individuals with a family history of glaucoma
Likewise, individuals who suffer from major medical conditions, such as diabetes, can be at risk for glaucoma.
In rare cases, children can be born with increased risk for glaucoma due to irregularities during development that increase eye pressure or prevents the proper flow of fluids.
Glaucoma prognosis greatly depends on detection and severity level. Patients who seek prompt treatment tend to have better chances of preserving or saving their vision.
However, in its advanced stages, glaucoma is often irreversible and all we can do is attempt to gain back some vision loss or help patients with various low vision services.
If you experience glaucoma symptoms, such as pressure in the eyes and head as well as nausea, and difficulty with side vision, it is extremely important that you receive medical eye care immediately.
The sooner you see an eye doctor the more likely you will be able to undergo effective treatments. Glaucoma can be controlled from progressing with immediate medical intervention.
Normal vision |
Same scene as viewed by a person with glaucoma |
Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Glaucoma is diagnosed using a range of advanced eye exams, which may include any or all of the following:
- Visual acuity test: during this test, your vision at various distances is examined and an instrument called a tonometer is used to measure the pressure inside the eye.
- Visual field test: this test measures peripheral or side vision. Loss of peripheral vision is often a sign of glaucoma.
- Dilated eye exam: this exam involves the use of special eye drops that allow the eye doctor to see inside the retina and the optical nerve for signs of damage due to glaucoma or other eye irregularities. A dilated eye exam will leave your close up vision blurred for a few hours afterward.
- Pachymetry: This test involves the use of an ultrasonic wave instrument, which allows Dr. Hakimzadeh to measure the thickness of the cornea for signs of glaucoma and other eye damage. Numbing eye drops are used to minimize any possible discomfort.
Dr. Hakimzadeh will perform any necessary tests in order to best diagnose and detect glaucoma or other eye damage that you may need help with. She is extremely experienced and has helped many Rochester glaucoma patients with detection and successful treatment options.
Glaucoma Treatments
Glaucoma can often be treated when diagnosed early. This is why early detection is essential for our glaucoma treatment patients to preserve their vision. At Oakland Eye Clinic we offer a range of treatment options and we may often use a combination of these procedures in order to achieve the best possible treatment outcome for our glaucoma patients.
Dr. Hakimzadeh may utilize any of the following treatments or combinations thereof to treat your glaucoma.
Medicating Eye Drops and/or Tablets: Glaucoma medicine is usually administered in form of eye drops or tablets. Dr. Hakimzadeh will determine which medicine is best for you and will not interfere with any current medications or supplements you may be taking. Glaucoma medicine works to lower pressure in the eye, thereby halting the progression of this eye disease.
Laser Trabeculoplasty: This glaucoma treatment is performed in-office and involves the use of a special laser that burns small holes in the eye’s meshwork so that the eye fluid can drain easier and therefore reduce pressure in the eye that is causing glaucoma.
This is a very successful treatment, however, its effects may wear off over time and a repeat treatment may be needed. In general, this procedure is meant to treat one eye at a time and recovery is fairly easy. Medicating eye drops are prescribed post-surgery.
Glaucoma Surgery: Conventional glaucoma surgery is only performed if all other treatments have failed, including medication and the laser procedure. This surgery is performed in an accredited surgical facility or hospital.
During the surgery, Dr. Hakimzadeh makes a new opening in the eye so that the fluid can drain properly and reduce glaucoma-causing pressure. Medicating eye drops and antibiotics are prescribed afterward to minimize the risk of inflammation or infection. Glaucoma surgery is generally very successful.
Please note that treatments are performed on patients who have not completely lost vision due to glaucoma. This is why prompt discovery and treatment is essential. If you have already lost vision due to glaucoma, please contact us to ask about low vision services.
Glaucoma Treatment Recovery and Expectations
Glaucoma treatment recovery will greatly depend on which treatment option we decide to pursue. The laser procedure is generally easy to handle and most patients are able to get better within a few days. It is very important to follow all post-treatment instructions and take all of your medications on time.
Conventional glaucoma surgery requires a longer period of recovery, simply because it is performed manually and a scalpel is used. However, most patients are able to recover within a few weeks. You may be asked to wear an eye patch and, of course, take your medicine on time.
Treatment prognosis for glaucoma is generally good and we are able to help you halt the progression of the disease so that you can keep your remaining vision. However, often the vision that has already been lost to glaucoma cannot be recovered. So please call us right away if you suspect you may have glaucoma.
Glaucoma Treatment Candidacy
Anyone who suffers from glaucoma and has not lost vision completely can be a candidate for treatment. The sooner you act; the better chances you have of saving your vision. Dr. Hakimzadeh will go over each procedure and determine which one is best for you.
Current Research and Resources
Glaucoma research focuses on finding out what exactly is causing the increased fluid and pressure in the eye that causes glaucoma. A number of studies are also focusing on more promising treatments and medications. The National Eye Institute is very much involved in all glaucoma research studies.
Your Glaucoma Treatment Evaluation
If you suspect you may have glaucoma, please come in right away. This eye disease is very serious and any vision you lose as result may not be recovered. At Oakland Eye Clinic we regularly treat Rochester Hills, Troy, and Detroit glaucoma patients and offer a number of successful treatments.
When you visit us, Dr. Hakimzadeh will perform glaucoma testing to determine the severity of your situation. Based on her findings, she will offer you the best possible treatment options and educate you on the various side effects associated with each treatment. Please contact us today to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.
Thank You for Choosing Oakland Eye Clinic