Contact our Chicago, Illinois practice to schedule a consultation about glaucoma treatment options.

Providing the Chicago, Illinois Area with Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to blindness. When diagnosed and treated in its early stages, blindness is extremely uncommon. However, it has been estimated that more than two million Americans have some form of glaucoma, additionally, about half of those affected are not even aware they have the condition. Our Chicago, Illinois area surgeons can accurately diagnose and treat glaucoma. Contact Kovach Eye Institute to schedule a glaucoma consultation.

Who is at Risk for Developing Glaucoma?

Individuals of all ages and races can develop glaucoma, and the risk of acquiring this condition is increased in patients who are diabetic, African-American, over 35, or related to someone with glaucoma. Patients at a higher risk of developing glaucoma should schedule regular eye exams. Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of preventable blindness; however, early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chances for vision retention. Contact our Chicago, Illinois area practice to schedule your glaucoma exam.

Open-angle Glaucoma

There are several different forms of glaucoma that affect patients, the most common type being open-angle glaucoma. In open-angle glaucoma, something has gone wrong with the drainage canal through which the clear fluid that nourishes the eye is returned into the bloodstream. The aqueous clear fluid is unable to drain fast enough, causing pressure to build up within the eye. The accumulation of fluid exerts pressure on the fragile optic nerve that connects the eye with the brain. If the pressure on the optic nerve remains at a high level for too long, permanent blindness can occur. Unfortunately, the symptoms of glaucoma often go unnoticed, as patients do not experience pain or other signs of problems. However, early signs of vision loss include depletion of peripheral vision. Contact our Chicago, Illinois area practice if you suspect you are suffering from glaucoma.

Glaucoma Diagnosis

To test for glaucoma in our patients, we utilize several tests including:

Tonometry: Measures eye pressure
Ophthalmoscopy: Visual examination of the optic nerve to determine its shape and color
Perimetry: Maps out a patient’s field of vision, allowing our doctors to detect possible patterns of visual problems that could be related to glaucoma
Gonioscopy: Tests whether the drain from the iris to the cornea is open or closed

Glaucoma Treatments

There are three types of treatments commonly used to control glaucoma and reduce pressure to the optic nerve. These include medications, laser surgery and filtration surgery.

Medication: Used to control glaucoma
Laser Trabeculoplasty: Laser surgery to decrease pressure by opening the angle of the eye
Trabeculectomy: Filtration surgery that removes a portion of the angle area so the aqueous clear fluid can drain
Valve Implant: This development in filtration surgery involves the placement of a valve implant to control the aqueous fluid drainage from the eye thereby controlling pressure on the optic nerve

To find out which type of treatment is right for you, contact Kovach Eye Institute, serving patients throughout the Chicago, Illinois area. We can recommend the proper glaucoma treatment for your individual condition.

Serving patients throughout the Chicago, Illinois area, our practice provides glaucoma diagnosis and treatment for those suffering from this condition.

Kovach Eye Institute, LTD., 152 N. Addison Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-2748

The Kovach Eye Institute is affiliated with the DocShop network. DocShop is a patient education resource offering free educational content about glaucoma.