Glaucoma Treatment in Downtown

Glaucoma Treatment in Downtown

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(412) 471-9838

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. Gateway Eye Associates 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 Gateway Eye Associates, 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 Downtown


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 Gateway Eye Associates in Downtown 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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180 Reviews
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- Nov. 14, 2024
Very friendly office, great service, thorough exams & affordable prices, I'm making this the place ... for my yearly eye exams.
- Oct. 31, 2024
Very Satisfied
- Oct. 12, 2024
Professional, thorough, friendly, accommodating, respectful. Always a pleasure.
- Sep. 06, 2024
From soup to nuts, the visit was amazing. No pressure or feeling of being rushed. Dr. Tocco is an am... azing young doctor.
- Jul. 26, 2024
Great group
- May. 14, 2024
Professional Team i like them
- Mar. 08, 2024
Everyone was very helpful and very friendly
- Jan. 19, 2024
Friendly, knowledgeable staff. They go the extra mile to help!! 10 out of 10 recommended.
- Jan. 06, 2024
I have been going to Gateway since 1991 love both Dr. Clement and Dr. Dang and their staff. They ha... ve the best equipment and really take care of you.
- Nov. 04, 2023
I visited Gateway Eye as a new patient because it is close to my place of employment and they accept... my vision insurance. Dr. Dang was exceptional. After she reviewed my medications and medical history, I admitted that I was overdue for a follow up with my medical provider regarding a potential medical issue that may effect my vision. Dr. Dang strongly encouraged me to follow up with my medical provider in regards to this issue. After my vision appointment, I scheduled the medical appointment that I needed to schedule. To make a long story short, this medical appointment resulted in a diagnosis for a medical condition that is now being treated. I personally would have blown the whole thing off until next year's visit with my PCP if not for Dr. Dang's encouragement to me to follow up on this. I specifically made this vision appointment because I suspected that I needed progressive lenses. Dr. Dang and the staff were excellent and they got me into my appointment promptly, and I was out of the appointment in a very short time with my new eyeglass prescription. It was very easy to order my new glasses from Gateway Eye. Finally, it was extremely easy to make an appointment at Gateway Eye. I intend to use them for my next vision appointment.
- Oct. 13, 2023
All the staff members were exceptionally kind and understanding as I navigated my insurance concerns... . When it came to choosing glasses, they provided valuable assistance in selecting the ideal frames for me
- Aug. 31, 2023
Very professional+ caring.I have been going to them for a long time.I would never change Doctors! Hi... ghly recommend! He is the only Doctor in my life that prescribed me glasses that actually helped me see better in my life!Great personality too!
- Aug. 21, 2023
Highly recommend Gateway Eye Associates.
- Jul. 14, 2023
I felt comfortable with everyone and assured that I was in good hands
- Jul. 11, 2023
Dr Clement always listens to everything I tell him is happening and takes time to explain exactly wh... at is going on with my eyes. His is genuinely concerned about my vision and overall health.
- May. 16, 2023
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- Mar. 22, 2023
The entire team at Gateway Eye Associates is great, and my eyes and vision benefit from their expert... ise. Likewise, the experience at Gateway is enjoyable, because the team is personable.
- Jan. 27, 2023
Best eye practice in the city! Not only is Dr. Dang an amazing and thorough practitioner, but she’... s funny and relatable!
- Dec. 30, 2022
Overall really great people who take a lot of interest in servicing those who need eye care. They ta... ke the time to explain everything to you and do what they can to make sure you get everything you need! They took me under their wing as a student to see if I would be interested in eye care, and although I wasn’t the right fit, I still felt like it while I was there!
- Sep. 14, 2022
Dr. Clemente is super nice! Very thorough in his work and not pushy at all, as some doctors can be. ... All the staff are polite as well.

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Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Downtown

Our optometry practice in Downtown

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Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Aetna

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(412) 471-9838