New Eyes Las Vegas
Glaucoma Care in Southern Nevada
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve that carries images from your eye to your brain, and it’s the leading cause of preventable blindness. Our ophthalmologists offer early detection and a full range of treatments to protect your vision.
- Often called "the silent thief of sight," since it rarely causes noticeable symptoms early on
- Treatment options ranging from eye drops to minimally-invasive surgery
- With proper management, most patients maintain good vision for life
Symptoms
Am I a Candidate for Glaucoma Care?
Glaucoma rarely causes symptoms early on, which is why understanding your risk factors matters as much as watching for warning signs.
Age 40 or Older
Risk increases as you get older
Family History
Having a parent or sibling with glaucoma raises your risk and can call for earlier screening.
Diabetes
Diabetics face a higher risk of developing the disease.
Extreme Nearsightedness
Significant myopia is linked to a higher risk of glaucoma.
Why it’s called “the silent thief of sight”: Glaucoma is usually painless and develops gradually, often with no warning signs until significant vision loss has already occurred. Additional risk factors include being African-American and 35 or older, and long-term steroid use. Advanced diagnostic testing can catch it early, before symptoms ever appear, which is why routine screening matters even if your vision feels fine.
About the Procedure
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, the pathway that carries visual signals from your retina to your brain. It’s often, but not always, linked to increased pressure inside the eye. Some patients develop the disease with entirely normal eye pressure, which is part of why routine screening is so important.
There are three main types. Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, occurs when fluid has access to the eye’s drainage system but doesn’t flow through it properly. Narrow-angle glaucoma is typically more severe, occurring when that drainage access is blocked outright, causing pressure to build rapidly. Low-tension glaucoma damages the optic nerve without any excess eye pressure at all.
Unlike many eye conditions, glaucoma is chronic. It can be controlled, similar to how diabetes or high blood pressure is managed, but not cured.
Your Options
Choose the Right Treatment Path
Treatment depends on how advanced your glaucoma is and how well less invasive options are controlling it.
First-Line Treatment
Non-Surgical Care
- Prescription eye drops, customized to your needs
- SLT laser treatment, which doesn't cut, burn, or destroy tissue
- Can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, the need for ongoing medication
- SLT's effects can last five years or longer in some patients, and can be repeated
For Advancing Cases
Surgical Treatment
- Minimally-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), including GATT, iTrack ABiC, and iStent
- Traditional surgery, such as trabeculectomy or tube shunts, for more advanced cases
- Aimed at directly lowering eye pressure to protect the optic nerve
- Reserved for cases where drops and laser treatment aren't enough on their own
Our doctors will recommend the least invasive option that can still protect your vision, escalating care only when it's needed.
The Process
Your Glaucoma Care Journey
Since glaucoma is a chronic condition, care is ongoing rather than a single procedure.
Evaluation & Diagnosis
- Eye pressure measurement
- Side vision (visual field) testing
- Evaluation of the optic nerve's health
- Review of personal and family risk factors
Starting Treatment
- Prescription eye drops typically tried first
- Regimen customized to your specific type of glaucoma
- Follow-up visits to monitor eye pressure
Escalating Care if Needed
- SLT laser considered if drops aren't enough on their own
- MIGS considered for continued progression
- Traditional surgery reserved for more advanced cases
Long-Term Monitoring
- Regular checkups to track eye pressure and optic nerve health
- Treatment adjusted over time as needed
- Ongoing management, since glaucoma can be controlled but not cured
Results
Managing Glaucoma Long-Term
Glaucoma can't be cured, but with the right treatment plan, most patients maintain their vision for life.
Slowed Progression
Treatment can significantly reduce eye pressure and slow further damage to the optic nerve.
Reduced Reliance on Drops
SLT laser treatment can reduce, or in some patients eliminate, the need for ongoing medication.
Protecting What Remains
Vision already lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, which makes protecting your current vision the priority.
Lifelong Management
Like diabetes or high blood pressure, glaucoma is typically managed rather than cured, with regular monitoring going forward.
What to Know About Long-Term Management
- Regular checkups are needed indefinitely, even once pressure is controlled
- Treatments like SLT can be repeated as their effects wear off over time
- A diet rich in antioxidants, including leafy greens and foods high in omega-3s, may support eye health
- Limiting trans fats, saturated fats, and caffeine may help reduce added risk
- Wearing protective eyewear during high-risk activities can help prevent trauma-related glaucoma
Informed Care
Safety & Risk Considerations
Glaucoma treatments range from non-invasive to surgical, matched to the severity of your condition.
Safety Profile
- SLT laser treatment doesn't cut, burn, or destroy tissue
- MIGS procedures are designed for improved comfort and safety
- Treatment plans are tailored to each patient's severity and lifestyle
- More invasive surgery is reserved only for advanced or unresponsive cases
Possible Side Effects
- Vision already lost to optic nerve damage cannot be restored
- SLT's effects may wear off over time, sometimes requiring retreatment
- Left untreated, glaucoma can progress to significant vision loss over months or years
- Traditional surgical options carry more risk than non-surgical treatments and are used accordingly
Glaucoma Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Is glaucoma treatment covered by insurance?
Most health insurance providers consider glaucoma treatment a medical necessity and provide coverage, though specific benefits vary by plan and by the type of treatment needed. Our team can help you understand what your plan covers.
How do I know which glaucoma treatment I should have?
Treatment depends on how advanced your glaucoma is. Eye drops are often tried first, while SLT laser or a minimally-invasive procedure may be recommended for more significant pressure buildup. Your doctor will determine the best approach after an evaluation.
When should I get checked for glaucoma?
Most patients start to be at higher risk around age 40, and screening every three to five years is generally recommended from that point on. If glaucoma runs in your family, earlier and more frequent screening may be worthwhile, since early detection offers the best chance of limiting vision loss.
What happens if glaucoma goes untreated?
Left untreated, glaucoma is a progressive disease that can lead to total vision loss and is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. With regular checkups and treatment, most patients are able to retain their sight.
What is "pre-glaucoma"?
This term, sometimes called “glaucoma suspect,” generally describes elevated eye pressure without confirmed vision or optic nerve damage yet, or a strong family history of the disease. It calls for closer monitoring rather than immediate treatment.
How long do the effects of glaucoma treatment last?
It varies by treatment and by patient. SLT laser, for example, remains effective in about a third of patients after five years, and can be repeated if its effects wear off. Your doctor can walk you through what to expect based on your specific treatment plan.
How much does glaucoma treatment cost?
The cost of glaucoma treatment at our practice often varies considerably among patients based on the specific type of glaucoma treatment performed and insurance coverage. A less invasive treatment for earlier stages of glaucoma, such as the SLT laser, may cost less than drops and other surgical treatments. Once your glaucoma treatment plan is created during the initial consultation, a friendly member of our team here at New Eyes will calculate an estimate of the total cost and answer any questions you may have. Rest assured that we will do our best to help you find a way to pay for treatment that works within your budget. In addition to accepting several major health insurance plans and numerous convenient payment methods, New Eyes partners with CareCredit®. This reputable healthcare financing company offers an expansive selection of payment plans for qualified applicants who would like to pay for their glaucoma treatment over time.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule A Consultation
If you're ready to experience exceptional eye care, contact us today to schedule your evaluation at any of our Southern Nevada locations.