Protect against
Vision Loss

Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve, which transmits signals from the eye to the brain. This damage often results from high eye pressure. Many people with glaucoma experience no symptoms in the early stages, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams, as any vision loss caused by glaucoma is irreversible.

Once symptoms develop, you may notice patchy blind spots, usually affecting your peripheral or central vision. Advanced stages can lead to tunnel vision. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form, while acute-angle closure glaucoma causes severe headaches, eye pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and halos around lights, requiring emergency treatment.

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Preventive Care for Glaucoma

While we cannot prevent glaucoma from starting, we can prevent permanent, significant vision loss.

Routine Comprehensive Eye Exams: This is the single most important preventive step. A complete exam at our Ashburn eye clinic includes an eye pressure check (tonometry), a dilated exam to inspect the optic nerve for damage, and visual field testing. If you are at high risk, we will recommend a more frequent screening schedule.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Regular, moderate exercise (like walking) has been shown to help lower eye pressure. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet rich in leafy green vegetables and to protect your eyes from injury with proper safety eyewear.
Manage Underlying Health Issues: Closely monitoring and managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure with your primary care physician is vital for reducing your glaucoma risk.

Advanced Treatment Options

The goal of all glaucoma treatment is to lower your eye pressure (IOP) to a target level, which prevents or slows further damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma management typically begins with the least invasive options:

Prescription Eye Drops: These are the most common first-line treatment. They work by either reducing the amount of fluid your eye produces or increasing the outflow (drainage) of fluid from the eye.
Oral Medications: In some cases, your Ashburn optometrist may prescribe oral tablets to supplement eye drops and further decrease eye pressure.
Laser Treatment: Procedures like Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) or Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) can be performed in-office. These procedures use a focused laser beam to improve the drainage of fluid from the eye.
Glaucoma Surgery: If medications and laser treatments are not sufficient to control your eye pressure, surgical options may be discussed. These include traditional filtering surgery (trabeculectomy) or Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), which are designed to create a better drainage path for the eye's fluid.

Don't wait for symptoms to appear—protect your vision now! Book your comprehensive glaucoma screening with our trusted eye doctors in Ashburn, VA today.