Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition that damages the optic nerve, often due to elevated intraocular pressure. Because vision loss occurs slowly and without early symptoms, early detection is essential to protect long-term sight.
At The Medical Group of New Jersey, our ophthalmology team provides comprehensive evaluation, individualized treatment plans, and lifelong monitoring to prevent or delay vision loss from glaucoma.
Symptom Onset & Initial Evaluation
Most individuals with glaucoma do not notice symptoms until the disease is advanced. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Gradual loss of side (peripheral) vision
- Difficulty seeing in low light
- Eye discomfort or headaches (more common with angle-closure glaucoma)
- Halos around lights or blurred vision (in later stages)
During your initial glaucoma evaluation at The Medical Group of New Jersey, your ophthalmologist will:
- Review your medical, ocular, and family history
- Measure eye pressure (tonometry)
- Inspect the drainage angle of the eye
- Perform optic nerve imaging (OCT) to measure nerve fiber layers
- Conduct a visual field test to assess side vision
- Dilate your eyes to evaluate the optic nerve thoroughly
If you have risk factors, such as diabetes, African or Caribbean ancestry, steroid use, or family history, we incorporate these into your individualized monitoring plan.
Diagnosis & Risk Assessment
A glaucoma diagnosis relies on identifying structural changes to the optic nerve and functional changes to vision. Testing generally includes:
- Tonometry (intraocular pressure measurement)
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of the optic nerve
- Visual field (perimetry) testing
- Gonioscopy to assess the drainage angle
- Dilated optic nerve exam
- Pachymetry (corneal thickness measurement)
Risk Assessment
You may be considered higher-risk if you have:
- Elevated or fluctuating eye pressure
- Thin corneas
- Strong family history of glaucoma
- History of eye trauma
- Steroid medication use
- Vascular risk factors (e.g., sleep apnea, migraines, Raynaud’s)
Your ophthalmologist will determine your “target eye pressure” and design a personalized plan to reach and maintain that level.
Treatment & Management
Glaucoma treatment focuses on lowering eye pressure to protect the optic nerve. Treatment plans are individualized and may include:
Medications
Prescription eye drops to reduce pressure by:
- Decreasing fluid production
- Increasing fluid drainage
- Or both
Your physician will review proper drop technique and discuss side effects, interactions, and dosing schedules.
Laser Therapy
Laser procedures can improve drainage or reduce fluid production. Options include:
- Laser Trabeculoplasty for open-angle glaucoma
- Peripheral Iridotomy for narrow or angle-closure glaucoma
Surgical Management
If pressure remains too high despite medications and laser therapy, surgery options include:
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
- Trabeculectomy
- Glaucoma drainage implants
These procedures help maintain long-term pressure control and protect against further vision loss.
Monitoring & Follow-Up
Glaucoma requires lifelong monitoring. Follow-up intervals depend on disease severity but typically include:
- Eye pressure checks
- OCT imaging to track optic nerve changes
- Visual field testing
- Evaluation of medication tolerance and effectiveness
Your ophthalmologist at The Medical Group of New Jersey will adjust your treatment plan as needed to ensure optimal and stable vision.