Glaucoma Treatment in Fountain Hills

Glaucoma Treatment in Fountain Hills

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(480) 816-0102

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.

It's caused by fluid build-up and increased pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve that progressively worsens your vision. This disease can cause severe, irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

In many cases, appropriate control and treatment can help prevent further damage to the eyes and protect your vision. 20/20 Image Eye Center - Fountain Hills offers several treatments to help address glaucoma. Learn more about the treatments we provide and contact us to schedule an appointment.

Glaucoma diagnosis


The 2 Main Types of Glaucoma

grandfather wearing glasses holding his granddaughter

  • Open-angle glaucoma: the most common type. It is a lifelong condition that accounts for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma: a rare form of the disease which requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when the angle is closed in many or most areas between the iris and cornea, which reduces fluid drainage and increases eye pressure.

Glaucoma: The Sneaky Thief of Sight

There is a reason glaucoma is called “the sneaky thief of sight”--half the people with glaucoma don’t even know they have it! Meaning, they may not have symptoms in the early stages.

At 20/20 Image Eye Center - Fountain Hills, we diagnose and help preserve your vision with cutting-edge glaucoma treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

If you have a family history of glaucoma or have been diagnosed with glaucoma, contact us today.

optometrist in Fountain Hills


What are the Signs of Glaucoma?

glaucoma signs

As mentioned earlier, glaucoma usually shows no symptoms in its early stages. When signs do manifest, it's usually loss of tunnel vision or peripheral vision. Unfortunately, by the time vision loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed.

That said, the less common angle-closure glaucoma does show a sudden onset of symptoms, including:

  • Extreme eye pain
  • Eye redness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek prompt diagnosis and treatment by contacting 20/20 Image Eye Center - Fountain Hills in Fountain Hills or visiting your nearest emergency room.


Who's at Risk for Glaucoma?

  • Age 40 +

    The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age, with most glaucoma patients aged 40 and up. That said, there is a much rarer form of this disease (congenital glaucoma) that affects infants.

  • Family History & Ethnicity

    Your risk for developing glaucoma is higher if you have a family history of the disease. Those of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American, and Indigenous Canadian descent have a higher risk of developing this disease.

  • Other Conditions

    High myopia, hypertension and diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

  • Eye Injury or Trauma

    An eye injury, trauma or eye surgery can increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.


Common Glaucoma Treatments

There is currently no cure for glaucoma. However, several treatments are available to prevent the progression of this sight-robbing condition. With the right care, you have a higher chance of managing your glaucoma and preserving your vision.

Common treatments include:

Eye Drops

Your optometrist will prescribe eye drops to help regulate pressure inside the eye by decreasing fluid production and/or improving drainage.

Laser Surgery

If eye drops aren’t doing enough to reduce intraocular pressure or intraocular temperature in open-angle glaucoma, laser surgery may be an option. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) opens up the drainage system in the eye to reduce pressure.

SLT is successful in 80% of cases and can reduce eye pressure by 20%.

Other Surgeries

If a laser procedure or eye drops do not lower eye pressure to the desired level, your eye doctor may recommend one of the following surgeries:

  • Incision Surgery
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants

Glaucoma Testing Treatment FAQs

How does an eye doctor diagnose glaucoma?

Since glaucoma has no side effects early on, it is essential for people with a family history of risk factors for glaucoma to get tested. The following tests diagnose glaucoma:

  • Tonometry: measures the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP)
  • Ophthalmoscopy (dilated eye exam): examines the shape and color of the optic nerve
  • Perimetry: measures your field of vision
  • Gonioscopy: checks the angle where the iris meets the cornea
  • Pachymetry: determines the thickness of the cornea to better evaluate eye pressure.
What foods should you avoid if you have glaucoma?

The following are the foods every glaucoma patient should consider avoiding immediately. It should help keep your optic nerve healthy and minimize eye pressure.

  • Caffeine - certain studies show that caffeine contributes to increased intraocular pressure.
  • Saturated fats - a diet high in saturated fats can lead to weight gain, which not only increases intraocular pressure but also cholesterol levels.
  • Trans fats - try to limit your consumption of trans fats because they can also raise cholesterol levels
  • Salt - make sure to consume salt sparingly, as increased blood pressure can indirectly lead to intraocular pressure.
What percentage of glaucoma patients go blind?

About 60% of patients diagnosed with glaucoma will eventually lose some vision.

However, the rate of legal blindness among glaucoma patients is 5%. Getting effective treatment early on will greatly increase your ability to preserve and maximize your vision.

Patient Reviews
4.9
534 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Nov. 26, 2024
Ramon selected glasses from the description of what I wanted. He was patient in helping me choose, g... iving advice when I asked for it, and encouraging me through the process.
- Oct. 29, 2024
Friendly, professional staff at this 20/20 Image Eye Center location. Office is convenient and they... have a wide array of frame styles from which to choose. Dr. Peterson is great!
- Oct. 24, 2024
Prompt friendly service provided exactly what I needed
- Oct. 08, 2024
In addition to knowledgeable service during the eye exam process, the people who work there are very... caring and kind to everyone!
- Sep. 20, 2024
Great customer service
- Aug. 16, 2024
A warm professional environment each time I visit.
- Jul. 10, 2024
Pleasant staff and great service. Will go back next year!
- Jun. 13, 2024
Thay are awesome! Highly recommend this vision center!!!
- Jun. 12, 2024
The staff here are amazing!
- Jun. 09, 2024
Very friendly and helpful staff. Nice clean environment. Dr. Peterson has been there for years and i... s great. They are the only vision center in Fountain Hills that accepts Avesis eye insurance.
- May. 23, 2024
Dr. Peterson was very friendly and professional. His staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful. ... I highly recommend their services.
- May. 22, 2024
Dr Peterson is wonderful and the staff is very friendly and helpful, but make sure you go in with yo... ur own questions and concerns and be certain to bring them up. You need to be your own advocate as they don't really know you. Same with any medical appointment as well.
- Apr. 12, 2024
Super front office staff! I was able get an appointment in 2 days for my eye issue! Dr Neadeau was t... horough, answered my questions and gave me an eye drop prescription that gave me immediate relief! Thank you!!
- Apr. 12, 2024
I was very impressed by everyone from the appointment scheduler to the Doctor. Everyone was very fo... cused on me the patient.
- Mar. 25, 2024
Friendly and professional staff!
- Mar. 11, 2024
Great service, love my new glasses.
- Mar. 02, 2024
Excellent experience. Doctor and staff were pleasant, thorough and patent centered.
- Feb. 24, 2024
Very happy with my first visit here. I was treated efficiently and also like a long term patient.
- Feb. 11, 2024
Before purchasing my new glasses, Brian took the time to recommend the best ones for me. He showed m... e the differences and advantages among various types of lenses. Since I used them for the first time, I felt comfortable!
- Feb. 10, 2024
The doctor and everyone else in the office are nothing but pleasant and knowledgeable

View All 534 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Fountain Hills

Our optometry practice in Fountain Hills

Photograph of John  Peterson
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(480) 816-0102