Glaucoma Treatment in Central West End

Glaucoma Treatment in Central West End

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

314-533-1898

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.

It's caused by fluid build-up and increased pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve that progressively worsens your vision. This disease can cause severe, irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

In many cases, appropriate control and treatment can help prevent further damage to the eyes and protect your vision. Crown Vision Center - Lindell offers several treatments to help address glaucoma. Learn more about the treatments we provide and contact us to schedule an appointment.

Glaucoma diagnosis


The 2 Main Types of Glaucoma

grandfather wearing glasses holding his granddaughter

  • Open-angle glaucoma: the most common type. It is a lifelong condition that accounts for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma: a rare form of the disease which requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when the angle is closed in many or most areas between the iris and cornea, which reduces fluid drainage and increases eye pressure.

Glaucoma: The Sneaky Thief of Sight

There is a reason glaucoma is called “the sneaky thief of sight”--half the people with glaucoma don’t even know they have it! Meaning, they may not have symptoms in the early stages.

At Crown Vision Center - Lindell, we diagnose and help preserve your vision with cutting-edge glaucoma treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

If you have a family history of glaucoma or have been diagnosed with glaucoma, contact us today.

optometrist in Central West End


What are the Signs of Glaucoma?

glaucoma signs

As mentioned earlier, glaucoma usually shows no symptoms in its early stages. When signs do manifest, it's usually loss of tunnel vision or peripheral vision. Unfortunately, by the time vision loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed.

That said, the less common angle-closure glaucoma does show a sudden onset of symptoms, including:

  • Extreme eye pain
  • Eye redness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek prompt diagnosis and treatment by contacting Crown Vision Center - Lindell in Central West End or visiting your nearest emergency room.


Who's at Risk for Glaucoma?

  • Age 40 +

    The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age, with most glaucoma patients aged 40 and up. That said, there is a much rarer form of this disease (congenital glaucoma) that affects infants.

  • Family History & Ethnicity

    Your risk for developing glaucoma is higher if you have a family history of the disease. Those of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American, and Indigenous Canadian descent have a higher risk of developing this disease.

  • Other Conditions

    High myopia, hypertension and diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

  • Eye Injury or Trauma

    An eye injury, trauma or eye surgery can increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.


Common Glaucoma Treatments

There is currently no cure for glaucoma. However, several treatments are available to prevent the progression of this sight-robbing condition. With the right care, you have a higher chance of managing your glaucoma and preserving your vision.

Common treatments include:

Eye Drops

Your optometrist will prescribe eye drops to help regulate pressure inside the eye by decreasing fluid production and/or improving drainage.

Laser Surgery

If eye drops aren’t doing enough to reduce intraocular pressure or intraocular temperature in open-angle glaucoma, laser surgery may be an option. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) opens up the drainage system in the eye to reduce pressure.

SLT is successful in 80% of cases and can reduce eye pressure by 20%.

Other Surgeries

If a laser procedure or eye drops do not lower eye pressure to the desired level, your eye doctor may recommend one of the following surgeries:

  • Incision Surgery
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants

Glaucoma Testing Treatment FAQs

How does an eye doctor diagnose glaucoma?

Since glaucoma has no side effects early on, it is essential for people with a family history of risk factors for glaucoma to get tested. The following tests diagnose glaucoma:

  • Tonometry: measures the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP)
  • Ophthalmoscopy (dilated eye exam): examines the shape and color of the optic nerve
  • Perimetry: measures your field of vision
  • Gonioscopy: checks the angle where the iris meets the cornea
  • Pachymetry: determines the thickness of the cornea to better evaluate eye pressure.
What foods should you avoid if you have glaucoma?

The following are the foods every glaucoma patient should consider avoiding immediately. It should help keep your optic nerve healthy and minimize eye pressure.

  • Caffeine - certain studies show that caffeine contributes to increased intraocular pressure.
  • Saturated fats - a diet high in saturated fats can lead to weight gain, which not only increases intraocular pressure but also cholesterol levels.
  • Trans fats - try to limit your consumption of trans fats because they can also raise cholesterol levels
  • Salt - make sure to consume salt sparingly, as increased blood pressure can indirectly lead to intraocular pressure.
What percentage of glaucoma patients go blind?

About 60% of patients diagnosed with glaucoma will eventually lose some vision.

However, the rate of legal blindness among glaucoma patients is 5%. Getting effective treatment early on will greatly increase your ability to preserve and maximize your vision.

Patient Reviews
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863 Reviews
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- Oct. 22, 2024
Wonderful experience
- Oct. 19, 2024
Friendly, Fast and it didn't take long for my prescription to come.
- Oct. 17, 2024
The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful!
- Oct. 07, 2024
Doctor Fullenwider was super easy to talk to and very professional. Angie helped sort out the insura... nce and payment and was lovely!
- Sep. 10, 2024
The staff greet you with a smile and pleasantz. The office is clean and organized. They get you in a... nd done in a timely matter.
- Sep. 06, 2024
The whole staff is extremely friendly and helpful!
- Aug. 29, 2024
Whole staff is so friendly and helpful also doctor is so polite. He listens everything what I said a... bout problem. It was my first time visit but felt so normal. I haven’t faced any problem.
- Aug. 22, 2024
Excellent customer service!!!
- Jul. 25, 2024
Every time I visit, I walk out feeling like a new person. Especially after picking up my glasses, I ... can see so clear. Great staff and a great doctor too, would recommend!
- Jul. 24, 2024
Great people, very friendly. Visit was quick.
- Jun. 26, 2024
Great staff💕
- Jun. 08, 2024
Kind Friendly Caring, They were very helpful, they care about Customers ☺️☺️
- Jun. 02, 2024
Everyone was great🥰
- May. 29, 2024
Very pleasant experience due to the friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff.
- May. 21, 2024
They take care of business
- May. 01, 2024
Awesome staff. Treated me like family and got me all fixed up woth everything i needed. I didnt feel... rushed and staff was kind.
- Apr. 30, 2024
I had friendly quick help. The service was rapid and getting glass s was very fast too.
- Apr. 28, 2024
This was my old apartment 2800 Olive St St Louis MO 63130
- Mar. 28, 2024
I'm very satisfied with the eye doctors experience, and the staff as well.
- Mar. 25, 2024
Love my glasses

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Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Central West End

Our optometry practice in Central West End

Photograph of Robert  Fullenwider
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment Only
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Metlife
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

314-533-1898