Glaucoma Care and Surgery
Mention of the word “glaucoma” can create anxiety, understandably driven by fear of the unknown. At Edina Eye we are experts on the complexities that make this disease so serious and demanding of world-class care. We’re also experts at helping our patients understand their condition and treatment options.
Glaucoma Expertise
Advanced ophthalmology in the Twin Cities.
Edina Eye serves you with the leading glaucoma doctors in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area. Individually, our physicians and surgeons provide our glaucoma patients with the highest level of expertise and training, supported by the industry’s latest technologies, including state-of-the-art tonometry to determine intraocular pressure. Collectively, we offer patients from across the region world-class glaucoma evaluation, care and management.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help minimize or prevent optic nerve damage and limit glaucoma-related vision loss. Wherever you seek eye care, it’s essential to have regular examinations and for your eye doctor to measure your intraocular pressure on each visit.
An Individualized Approach
Each glaucoma case requires an intense personalized assessment.
Even the most common forms of glaucoma are complex conditions requiring the highest levels of expertise. The physicians and surgeons at Edina Eye are devoted to minimizing the effects of glaucoma through conscientious, ongoing monitoring and care.
Diagnosis
Our advanced diagnostic tools and techniques can help determine if you have glaucoma before you have symptoms. Types and severity of glaucoma vary and determine how your doctor assesses your individual condition. We use the following ways to diagnose our patients:
Measures intraocular pressure (IOP) through a plastic prism that contacts the cornea. High eye pressure is the chief determinant of glaucoma.
Measures central corneal thickness (CCT) to help interpret IOP levels. Thin CCT can suggest higher IOP than measured by tonometry and can be a strong predictor of developing glaucoma.
Measures peripheral vision, typically affected first when there is damage to the optic nerve from elevated IOP. Computerized systems and advanced software help your doctor analyze results and monitor progression over successive tests.
Provides doctors with a direct look at the optic nerve, allowing them to assess color and appearance to determine the presence and severity of damage due to glaucoma.
Evaluates the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer, the areas damaged by glaucoma. A variety of technologies provide quantitative measures that can be analyzed and compared to a database of glaucoma cases.
Examines the trabecular meshwork and whether the angle where fluid drains is open or narrow. Narrow angles are susceptible to sudden closure and the risk of acute glaucoma. Gonioscopy can also help determine if abnormal blood vessels or pigment granules are blocking drainage.
Management
If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, it’s essential you monitor the disease and manage its effects. Your ophthalmologist will help you properly care for your condition, typically through a systematic process that medicates and monitors your condition. Regular eye examinations are critical to a positive prognosis.
It’s important to remember most forms of glaucoma show no warning signs until advanced stages. Having your doctor check your intraocular pressure on a periodic schedule will provide early alerts to possible changes in your condition. Imaging technology also provides quantitative measurements and photographic comparisons to help monitor progression of the disease.
Treatment
The complexity and varied nature of glaucoma allow no single treatment. Eye medication is typically one of the first steps your doctor will take to help manage your glaucoma. For many, applying eye drops is a difficult task and studies show many glaucoma patients do not use their drops as directed by their physicians, undermining their own treatment. At Edina Eye we work closely with our patients to ensure they are able to manage their glaucoma at home and on a continuing basis between visits.
Medication
Eye medication can react adversely with other medicines, immediately or in time. Regular checkups with your ophthalmologist will ensure your treatment plan is continually working for you. Close monitoring of your condition allows your doctor to make effective choices should you require a change in treatment or prescription.
Physicians and Surgeons
Conscientious care and exceptional results.
All of the physicians and surgeons at Edina Eye are total eye experts and can help you determine if you have glaucoma and what treatment options are best for you. Several of our doctors are also leading glaucoma specialists and are available to see you to ensure your condition receives the most thorough examination and analysis, including surgical solutions. We’ll also help you fully understand your condition and the treatments available. Our committed team of professionals are your ultimate resource for glaucoma care in the Twin Cities, at your side from diagnosis through monitoring, and surgery if required.
Schedule an Appointment
World-class glaucoma care close to home.
The physicians and surgeons of Edina Eye are dedicated to bringing you the finest glaucoma evaluation and management in the region. We stay ahead of changing technologies and advancements in medicine and treatment options and look forward to applying our special expertise to your condition.
