Glaucoma Treatment in North Richland Hills

Glaucoma Treatment in North Richland Hills

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

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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. Southwest Vision Center 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.

Preserve Your Vision For Longer

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 Southwest Vision Center, 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 North Richland 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 Southwest Vision Center in North Richland 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.


Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in North Richland Hills

Our optometry practice in North Richland Hills

Photograph of Mario Contaldi
Hours
  • Monday 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross

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
Patient Reviews
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174 Reviews
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- Feb. 21, 2024
Dr. Vasilko is a great optometrist. Very informative and was quick to diagnose the problem my left e... ye was having! I will be coming back for future eye problems.
- Feb. 20, 2024
Great optometrist. Quick. Easy appointment and answered all my questions. The selection of glasses i... s immense. By far, the best selection of glasses in one place I have ever seen. The prices are reasonable. Recommended. The staff is knowledgable and easy to work with.
- Feb. 04, 2024
Great service for a perfect prescription!
- Dec. 28, 2023
Dr. Contaldi is the BEST!
- Nov. 14, 2023
I enjoy the personalized experience at Southwest Vision Center! The staff is super friendly, and th... ey make my yearly eye exams super easy.
- Nov. 02, 2023
Highly recommend. I no longer need reading glasses to read fine print due to RX change. Plus saved... money on contacts. Very nice staff. Best ever!
- Oct. 26, 2023
Great service! Friendly, welcoming, and professional. I'm glad I found them so close to where I live... .
- Oct. 17, 2023
Friendly staff, genuine interest in my vision, and clean environment.
- Sep. 01, 2023
Great staff and Doctor. Always friendly and professional.
- Aug. 22, 2023
Very nice experience, and I love my new glasses.
- Aug. 10, 2023
I've been going here since I was in elementary school, now I'm in my 30s! They've always been helpfu... l and staff has always been great. Definitely trust them with my vision!
- Aug. 01, 2023
Entire Staff is very professional and friendly. Highest level of customer service. Dr. Contaldi an... d Dr. Vasilko take the time to explain the process of what they do and why they do it and make sure you as a patient understand everything. Would highly recommend Southwest Vision Center to everyone!
- Jul. 31, 2023
Great staff, great frame options.
- Jul. 26, 2023
Love this Staff & Dr Contaldi he always have updated equipment for your exams & will over & above to... get you Right 💖
- Jul. 06, 2023
Friendly and understanding staff
- Jun. 22, 2023
Went in to have my eye checked due to pain. Come to find out there was a very small piece of plastic... stuck in my eye. She reassured me that it wouldn’t hurt and after putting numbing drops in both eyes, removed the debris and it was done. I could instantly feel relief. Very professional and knowledgeable. It’s the day after the procedure and I’m feeling back to normal.
- May. 31, 2023
Great place! and great care!
- May. 11, 2023
Great experience. Knowledgeable doctor and very helpful and friendly staff.
- May. 01, 2023
Great place for your eyes. The doctor and staff are very friendly and very helpful
- Apr. 22, 2023
The experience at the eye doctor was wonderful

View All 174 Reviews

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.


glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

Schedule Eye Exam