Glaucoma
Fast-Onset Glaucoma
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Not all glaucoma happens slowly. Acute angle-closure glaucoma can occur if there is a rapid or sudden increase of pressure in the eye. This is a medical emergency. While this type of glaucoma is less common, if you have severe eye pain, headaches, nausea, halos, blurred vision, or vision changes, you should seek medical attention immediately to save your sight.
What Is the Best Defense against Glaucoma?
Once glaucoma has damaged vision, it cannot be restored. Since vision loss may not become apparent until significant damage has occurred, regular eye exams are your best defense against this progressive disease. While vision loss cannot be restored, our board-certified eye doctors at Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie have the advanced technology and expertise needed to identify and treat the disease. This can slow or stop vision loss.
| How Often Should I Be Screened for Glaucoma? | |
|---|---|
| Age 20-29 | Most people should have an exam at least once during this period. If you are of African descent or have a family history of glaucoma, you should be tested every three to five years. |
| Age 30-39 | Most people should undergo an eye exam at least twice during this period. People of African descent or with a family history of glaucoma should be examined every two to four years. |
| Age 40-64 | Every two to four years. |
| Age 65 or older | Every one to two years. |
When Were You Last Tested for Glaucoma? Call for a Consultation
Since glaucoma symptoms often go unnoticed, it's important to have regular eye exams with a qualified doctor. The doctors at Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie, PA, use sophisticated diagnostic tools to identify glaucoma early on so that you can avoid debilitating vision loss. Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, takes years to cause optic nerve damage but can be successfully managed when caught early.
Should you suffer from glaucoma, our board-certified eye doctors have the wide-ranging expertise needed to tailor treatment to your type of glaucoma and stage of the disease. Drs. Howard Levin and Vincent Imbrogno are board-certified ophthalmologists and Dr. Emily Washek is the only fellowship-trained cornea specialist in the area. Our optometrist Ravinder Sabherwal has special training in both diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of glaucoma.
Concerned about eye care costs? Glaucoma treatments are typically covered by major medical insurance.
(814) 838-9555
Winona
2020
After living in 6 states and 4 countries I can say this is the best place I've ever gone for eye care...I've been using Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie for over 10 years and can't imagine stopping now! I've since moved to Pittsburgh and still make the annual trip to this office because I know the care I receive is going to be worth the drive!
View on GoogleLouis Nowosielski
2019
I remember 87 when Harinder was my Dr. Great person. His son..just as good. Concerning souls they are about healthy eyes. I went some other place once . Misdiagnosed. Last time. Came back and they straightened me up. no problem . Generations are like extended family. They definitely know what they're doing!!
View on GoogleDid You Know?
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Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Unfortunately, half the people with this eye disease don't know they have it.
Are You at Greater Risk for Glaucoma? You May Be If You...
- Have a family history of glaucoma.
- Have high eye pressure (intraocular pressure)
- Are African American (for open-angle glaucoma)
- Are of East Asian ancestry (for angle-closure glaucoma)
- Are farsighted (greater risk for angle-closure glaucoma)
- Have had an eye injury or eye surgery, such as cataract surgery
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Are middle-aged and older. The risk of glaucoma increases as you age, especially after age 40
Glaucoma Treatment
Your doctor at Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie, PA, will tailor treatment to your needs based on what stage you are at. Glaucoma is a progressive disease and though it cannot be cured, we offer eye care that can slow or stop it. Of course, the earlier we detect glaucoma, the more vision we can save. Among the treatments we use to control glaucoma are:
Medication
Glaucoma medication, in the form of eye drops or pills, is used to reduce the eye's intraocular pressure. For most patients, treatment starts with eye drops. While eye drops or pills won't cure glaucoma or reverse vision loss, they can keep glaucoma from robbing more of your eyesight. Depending on the medicine, you may need to use eye drops up to four times a day.
Surgical Treatments
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie offers SLT for patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma. The procedure takes only about five minutes to perform and provides immediate relief. We selectively treat cells in the trabecular meshwork that are restricting drainage and leave the others intact. Since the tool is so selective, the procedure can be repeated as needed in the future.
YAG Iridotomy
For patients suffering from angle-closure glaucoma or acute angle-closure glaucoma, which occurs when the iris bulges forward and restricts drainage from the eye, our ophthalmologists can use a Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (YAG) laser, to perform an iridotomy. This outpatient procedure can be completed in about five minutes and lowers the eye pressure by creating a pinhole in the outer edge of the iris, allowing excess intraocular fluid to drain out.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery
In addition to standard surgical techniques to reduce eye pressure, Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie, PA, also offers several forms of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, commonly called MIGS. These minimally invasive procedures use microscopic-sized equipment and tiny incisions that allow patients to avoid major surgery when appropriate. Among the advanced MIGS techniques we use are micro-incision surgeries and microscopic-sized stents (small tubes) that drain fluid from inside the eye and reduce eye pressure.
Us One
2019
Had several appointments over the years with contemporary ophthalmology of Erie and another up encoming appointment as well. Dr Sabherwal is definitely the best in his field very concerned about my care as well as the rest of my family and friends that see him. I can recommend Dr Sabherwal highly along with the fine staff that assist him.
View on GoogleKathie Kania
2019
Dr. Imbrogno was able to determine what was wrong with my eyes, after 2 other out-of-state opthalmologists were not. He set up a good program for me, and has been kind, professional, and encouraging.
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