Glaucoma Treatment in Winterset

Glaucoma Treatment in Winterset

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

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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. International Eyecare Center - Winterset 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.

Preserve Your Vision For Longer

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 International Eyecare Center - Winterset, 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 Winterset


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 International Eyecare Center - Winterset in Winterset 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.


Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Winterset

Our optometry practice in Winterset

Photograph of Abby  Thomas
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • MetLife

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
Patient Reviews
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83 Reviews
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- Mar. 02, 2024
Great place to get your eyes checked and to get glasses. They have a good stock of glasses to pick f... rom..
- Feb. 14, 2024
Friendly, compassionate staff
- Jan. 19, 2024
Great staff, never any issues. I look forward to my appointments and know that I'll be well taken c... are of. Everyone is knowledgeable and friendly. Great experiences every time. Thanks guys!
- Dec. 08, 2023
Very thorough exam. The person who helped me pick out my new frames was great and helped me find a ... pair I love
- Nov. 20, 2023
The best team ever. Very friendly understanding and helpful. Got my 8 year old in quickly and made ... an emergency appointment with the specialist for us.
- Nov. 04, 2023
Competent doctor and staff. Great customer service!
- Oct. 09, 2023
Get service. We had 2 slots 9am and 10am. We also had a 1030 appointment somewhere else that I had t... o get my husband too, they were able to squeeze us both into the same appointment slot. They did a great job on our exams, Quick, straight forward questions and polite as well. Got our glasses back within a week.
- Oct. 06, 2023
Awesome staff an exceptional optometrist
- Sep. 04, 2023
A great place to get glasses!
- Jun. 04, 2023
IMPRESSED. Great experience! Super helpful!
- Apr. 15, 2023
The staff is so nice and helpful.
- Apr. 11, 2023
I would definitely recommend this eyecare Center. I'm facing eyesight issues that are very scarey to... me and the Dr. and others who worked with me were genuinely kind and understanding. I left feeling hopeful and not so scared.
- Feb. 07, 2023
I love IEC! They take good care of myself and my son, I'm thankful to have them close to home - so c... onvenient.
- Feb. 05, 2023
Excellent eye care and Great service!!
- Feb. 04, 2023
Dr. A. Thomas is very knowledgable and professional. I appreiate having her in our small community.... She is omfortable working with Wolfe Eye Clinic in caring for my multiple vision issues.
- Dec. 22, 2022
Dr. Abby is the best! Trust her totally with my bad eyesight! She and her staff are very friendly an... d kind!
- Dec. 02, 2022
Doctor Abby is magnificent, she genuinely cares and conversates with you. The staff is so nice and w... elcoming and will totally hype you up while modeling glasses 🤓 love those ladies!
- Sep. 20, 2022
Friendly staff, very knowledgeable. Ensures you are satisfied 100 percent! Fast service too! I would... definitely recommend IEC!
- Dec. 17, 2021
Everyone in the clinic is very professional and personable.
- Dec. 08, 2021
Love Dr Abby and the staff! Knowledgeable and friendly. Great frame selection

View All 83 Reviews

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.


glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

Schedule Eye Exam