Glaucoma

Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve that is that is the result of high intraocular pressure. In most cases of glaucoma, patients are not aware of a functional loss because the damage happens slowly. Peripheral vision is gradually lost, and only in the end stages does central vision and clarity diminish. Because it happens at such a slow rate, it is important to be tested regularly if you at risk so that treatments that slow down this process can be initiated. We offer complete diagnostic, medical and surgical care for glaucoma patients. Our state of the art facility offers the most advanced in the early detection of glaucoma. We can detect and prevent early glaucoma before you ever have a functional loss. Given that vision loss and blind spots from glaucoma are permanent and irreversible, prevention becomes key. The earlier you are able to detect disease, the more vision you can preserve for years to come.

Diagnosis

All of our glaucoma specialists are fellowship trained in glaucoma. They will supplement thorough exams with state-of-the-art diagnostic tests available during your visit here. Here are some of the technologies you may encounter:

  • Tonometry – measures fluid pressure within the eye
  • iCare HOME Tonometry – a handheld device that allows glaucoma patients to measure and track their eye pressure at home, helping doctors monitor pressure changes throughout the day outside of clinic visits.
  • Pachymetry – measures of corneal thickness, which affects pressure readings
  • Humphrey Visual Field (HVF) – maps out any blind spots and can find small changes in peripheral vision over years
  • Cirrus Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) – Computerized cross-sectional thickness measurement and 3-D analysis of the optic nerve and the eye’s drainage system. This is one of the most sensitive studies to detect early glaucoma before functional loss.

Your initial workup may or may not include these studies depending on your specific case. We are careful to obtain studies at regular intervals so we can detect progression early. A detection and treatment strategy will be designed for you personally based on your risk factors.

Treating Glaucoma

Glaucoma treatments generally target mechanisms to lower the pressure in the eye and preserve vision. If untreated, abnormal eye pressure can damage the optic nerve leading to permanent loss of vision. High eye pressure is just one of many risk factors that can cause progression of disease.

We are medical doctors as well as surgeons and will make sure that your treatment is best for you, whether it be medical, laser, or surgical. We are the only glaucoma specialists in Kitsap County.

Most patients with early glaucoma can be controlled medically with eye drops alone. Finding the right combination is often an artful balance and we can find a regimen that works for you as a patient keeping your schedule and health limitations in mind.

Many patients find that laser therapies are a better fit for them.

In advanced cases, or in cases in which medical and/or laser therapies have been exhausted, surgery is the next step. Timely surgery often gives patients with moderate to severe glaucoma the best chance at keeping blind spots at bay. There are more options than ever before, and your surgeon will guide you to a therapy that matches your situation.

Glaucoma Services & Treatments

Express Shunt
A tiny implanted device to help drain fluid from the eye and lower intraocular pressure.

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Glaucoma Tubes
Small implanted drainage devices used to lower eye pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye in patients with advanced or difficult-to-control glaucoma.

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Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
A group of minimally invasive procedures designed to lower eye pressure in glaucoma patients by improving fluid drainage with less tissue disruption and faster recovery than traditional surgery.

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Peripheral Iridotomy
A laser procedure used to create a small opening in the iris to improve fluid drainage in the eye and help prevent or treat certain types of glaucoma.

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Trabeculectomy

A surgical procedure used to treat glaucoma by creating a new drainage pathway that lowers eye pressure and helps prevent vision loss.

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Laser Trabeculoplasty

A laser treatment used to improve fluid drainage in the eye and lower intraocular pressure for patients with open-angle glaucoma.

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Xen Gel Stent
A minimally invasive glaucoma treatment that uses a tiny soft gel implant to create a new drainage pathway and reduce eye pressure.

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