Glaucoma Treatment in Northwest El Paso

Glaucoma Treatment in Northwest El Paso

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(915) 833-1928

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. West Texas Optometry 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 West Texas Optometry, 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 Northwest El Paso


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 West Texas Optometry in Northwest El Paso 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
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246 Reviews
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- Nov. 06, 2024
Awesome Dr, awesome staff!!
- Aug. 20, 2024
Great service for the whole family (ages 7-45 years old).
- Aug. 14, 2024
Wong knows what she is doing! Such a great person and doctor!
- Aug. 10, 2024
An excellent doctor and super friendly staff. I'd highly recommend W.T.O to anyone on the west side....
- Jun. 22, 2024
I love Dr Wong and her staff, very knowledgeable efficient and courteous.
- Apr. 29, 2024
Great staff, service… Doctor Wong was very knowledgeable and answered all questions. I would recom... mend highly.
- Apr. 23, 2024
Dr. Wong has a lot of experience and is very thorough. Staff is super friendly and helpful. Love it....
- Apr. 16, 2024
Dr Wong and her staff exceeded our expectations. It is very rare to actually see a doctor in person... any longer and not receive an exam through a computer doc in the box. Office personnel were extremely professional and Dr Wong was very informative. As long as we continue to receive personal service with an in office doctor, we will continue using WTO.
- Apr. 10, 2024
Fast and friendly service
- Apr. 07, 2024
Dr. Wong and all of her staff take the time to explain everything to you, and she really seems to ca... re about her clients. Also, their selection of frames rocks, and the staff members who help with choosing and fitting glasses really know their stuff and offer excellent advice.
- Mar. 24, 2024
Dr. Wong is a great optometrist.
- Mar. 04, 2024
HAVE BEEN W DR. WONG N HER STAFF FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, THEY R LIKE FAMILY TO ME. VERY FRIENDLY N P... ROFESSIONAL STAFF.
- Mar. 03, 2024
Dr Wong has over 30 years of experience and the staff at WTO are all super friendly and helpful. Hi... ghly recommend this place.
- Feb. 17, 2024
The entire staff was amaizing! Everyone was so helpful and very kind. So happy we found this office!...
- Feb. 16, 2024
Staff very friendly and Dr. Wong was very good with my examination.
- Jan. 15, 2024
Samples of contact lenses provided until permanent contact lenses came in. Excellent!
- Jan. 05, 2024
Dr. Wong is an amazing knowledgeable kind and caring eye doctor.
- Dec. 16, 2023
Dr. Wong is caring and meticulous. I feel like I'm in good hands. Her staff is friendly and the woma... n who sells frames knows how to help you find frames that look good on you.
- Nov. 24, 2023
I was greeted by staff immediately and with smiling faces. I was there to pick out glasses and prom... ptly assisted. I love that they clean the glasses between try in prevent pink eye and other coodies. I would definitely recommend Weat Texas Optimetry.
- Nov. 10, 2023
I am new to the area and needed a new optometrist. I had a great experience here with everyone I enc... ountered. Reception was friendly, the assistant was great, and Dr Wong herself was very kind, competent, and professional. I am so glad to have found this place!

View All 246 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Northwest El Paso

Our optometry practice in Northwest El Paso

Photograph of Joyce L.  Wong
Hours
  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(915) 833-1928