Glaucoma Treatment in Aiea

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve—the vital pathway that carries visual information from your eye to your brain. This damage is usually caused by elevated pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure), though glaucoma can occur even with normal eye pressure in some cases.

As glaucoma progresses, it typically causes small blind spots in your peripheral vision that gradually expand. Because central vision is often preserved until late stages, many people don’t notice vision loss until significant, irreversible damage has occurred. This is why regular comprehensive eye exams are essential for early detection.

Types of Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form, affecting approximately 95% of glaucoma patients. This type develops gradually over years as the eye’s drainage system becomes less efficient, causing pressure to slowly increase. Because it progresses so slowly and painlessly, patients often don’t notice vision loss until the disease is advanced—making regular screening critical.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma, also called closed-angle glaucoma, is far less common but far more dangerous in its acute form. This occurs when the eye’s drainage angle becomes suddenly blocked, causing rapid pressure buildup. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency characterized by severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights. If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Some patients develop optic nerve damage typical of glaucoma despite having normal eye pressure. This form requires careful monitoring and management by an experienced ophthalmologist like Dr. Omphroy.

Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is most common in adults over 60 and is one of the leading causes of vision loss in this age group. Additional risk factors include:

• Family history of glaucoma
• African, Hispanic, or Asian ancestry
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Severe nearsightedness or farsightedness
• Previous eye injury
• Long-term corticosteroid use
• Thin corneas

How Dr. Omphroy Diagnoses Glaucoma

Glaucoma diagnosis requires specialized testing beyond a routine vision check. During your comprehensive glaucoma evaluation, Dr. Omphroy performs several precise diagnostic tests:

• Tonometry: Measures your intraocular pressure, a key risk factor for glaucoma
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Our Maestro OCT machine provides detailed cross-sectional imaging of your optic nerve, detecting subtle structural changes before they cause noticeable vision loss
• Visual field analysis: Using Octopus visual field testing, Dr. Omphroy maps your peripheral vision to detect and monitor any blind spots characteristic of glaucoma
• Pachymetry: Measures corneal thickness, which affects pressure readings and risk assessment
• Gonioscopy: Examines your eye’s drainage angle to determine whether you have open-angle or angle-closure glaucoma

This comprehensive testing allows Dr. Omphroy to diagnose glaucoma in its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective at preserving your vision.

Glaucoma Treatment Options

Dr. Omphroy takes a personalized, stepwise approach to glaucoma treatment, starting conservatively and escalating as needed to protect your vision:

Prescription Eye Drops

Most glaucoma treatment begins with prescription eye drops that either reduce fluid production in the eye or improve fluid drainage. Several classes of glaucoma drops are available, and Dr. Omphroy will select the most appropriate medication based on your specific type and severity of glaucoma.

Oral Medications

In some cases, oral medications may be prescribed alongside eye drops to further reduce intraocular pressure.

Laser Trabeculoplasty

When eye drops alone aren’t sufficient, Dr. Omphroy may recommend laser trabeculoplasty—an in-office procedure that uses laser energy to improve fluid drainage through your eye’s natural drainage system. This minimally invasive treatment can significantly reduce eye pressure.

Surgical Treatment

For more advanced or difficult-to-control glaucoma, surgical options include filtering surgery (trabeculectomy), drainage tube implants, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) techniques. Dr. Omphroy will discuss which surgical approach best fits your specific situation if medication and laser treatment aren’t sufficient.

Dr. Omphroy takes a conservative approach whenever appropriate but won’t hesitate to recommend more advanced treatment when necessary to preserve your vision. Every treatment plan is tailored to your specific glaucoma type, severity, and overall eye health.

Living with Glaucoma: Ongoing Management

Glaucoma is a chronic condition requiring lifelong monitoring, even after successful treatment. Regular follow-up appointments allow Dr. Omphroy to track your eye pressure, optic nerve health, and visual field over time, adjusting treatment as needed. Consistent use of prescribed medications and attendance at follow-up appointments are essential for preserving your vision long-term.

Schedule Your Glaucoma Screening Today

Because glaucoma often has no early symptoms, the only way to catch it early is through regular screening. Don’t wait until you notice vision changes—by then, permanent damage may have already occurred. Call Omphroy Eye Care at (808) 487-7700 to schedule your glaucoma evaluation with Dr. Omphroy. We’re located at 98-1247 Kaahumanu St., Suite 118A, Aiea, HI 96701 in Aiea, and early detection is your best protection against vision loss.

Glaucoma FAQs