Glaucoma Evaluation Cape Coral

If you believe you may have glaucoma, schedule an appointment today with the skilled eye doctors at Elmquist Eye Group in Cape Coral or Fort Myers. There have been many advancements in the treatment of glaucoma. We can evaluate your condition and preserve your vision.

Elmquist Eye Group has been serving Southwest Florida since 1992. Ophthalmologist E. Trevor Elmquist, DO, his partner, Kate Wagner, OD, his associate, Nina Burt, OD,  and ophthalmologist Sarah Eccles-Brown, MD, provide a wide variety of eye care services.

Our talented team can address your glaucoma concerns and any other problems you may be having with your eyes. Our patients find it comforting to have compassionate, concerned physicians who take a genuine interest in their eye health and provide valuable advice.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, located at the back of your eye, which carries visual information to your brain for processing. If left untreated, glaucoma is one of the world’s leading causes of irreversible blindness.

There are several forms of glaucoma. The two most common are primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.

• Open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common form of glaucoma. According to The Glaucoma Foundation, it occurs mainly in individuals over the age of 50 and affects about one percent of all Americans.

This form of the disease usually progresses slowly and painlessly, without any symptoms or warning signs. You may hear open-angle glaucoma called the “silent thief of sight” because as much as 40% of vision can be lost before an individual begins to notice a problem. Regular eye exams are important for detecting vision changes or damage.

• Angle-closure glaucoma: Angle-closure glaucoma is a much rarer form of glaucoma, but it develops rapidly and can cause blindness in the affected eye if not treated promptly. Symptoms include:
  • Headache or head pain
  • Sudden severe eye pain
  • Nausea or vomiting (along with the pain)
  • Sudden loss of vision in one eye
  • Sudden blurred or hazy vision
  • Halos around lights
  • Redness of the eye

These symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have angle-closure glaucoma, but are the warning signs of a potentially serious problem.

Are You at Risk for Glaucoma?

High-risk groups for glaucoma include people over 60 years of age, African Americans (who are 15 times more likely than Caucasians to be visually impaired from glaucoma), those with a family history of glaucoma, people with diabetes, and people who are severely nearsighted, but babies and young people can also develop glaucoma.

If you are diagnosed with glaucoma or have risk factors for the disease, your doctor may ask you to have certain tests, such as visual fields, optic nerve analysis through use of a scanning laser, gonioscopy to assess the drainage structure of the eye, optic nerve photos, and a corneal thickness measurement.

Comprehensive dilated eye exams are extremely important in detecting glaucoma before it damages your vision. When detected and treated at an early stage, glaucoma can be controlled.

Glaucoma evaluation is the first step toward preserving your vision. Make an appointment today with Elmquist Eye Group in Cape Coral at (239) 936-2020 to find out more about the disease and the available treatment options.