Glaucoma Treatment in Paynesville

Glaucoma Treatment in Paynesville

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(320) 204-6400

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. Insight Eye Care - Paynesville 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 Insight Eye Care - Paynesville, 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 Paynesville


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 Insight Eye Care - Paynesville in Paynesville 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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63 Reviews
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- Oct. 23, 2024
Would highly recommend. Very thorough exam. Takes time to explain and answer questions.
- Jul. 29, 2024
Amazing and knowledgeable staff! Been going to Insight Eye Care for almost 20 years.
- May. 23, 2024
wonderful experience. friendly helpful knowledgeable staff and amazing doctor! bringing all my famil... y here from now on! highly suggest you do the same!
- May. 08, 2024
Great Experience and Wonderful Staff!!
- May. 02, 2024
The staff was very friendly and could answer all my questions and concerns. The doctor went over all... the tests with me in a clear way for me to understand (not alot of medical jargon or skimming over parts I may not understand) I felt very taken care of and look forward to continuing going here for my eye care needs.
- Apr. 25, 2024
I had a great experience. The staff were very friendly and helpful and Dr. Friederichs is extremely... knowledgeable and thorough.
- Mar. 13, 2024
Excellent!!
- Nov. 07, 2023
I am a new patient and I had a very positive experience!
- Oct. 13, 2023
Feel so safe and confident going to Dr Friederichs
- Sep. 17, 2023
If you are having problems with your vision etc. the best place to go with Dr. Fredericks because he... definitely will find out what’s going on or he would recommend you to someplace that well I have already recommended him many times to my friends. I will continue to do so.
- Nov. 15, 2022
Excellent care. Professional service. Friendly atmosphere.
- Sep. 03, 2022
Intelligent, friendly, caring staff
- Aug. 04, 2022
They are loving & caring people! They listen to my concerns and do an excellent job explaining.
- Mar. 30, 2022
Dr Friedreichs is excellent, explains procedures well. Front desk staff is pleasant. Large selection... of frames.
- Dec. 07, 2021
Great experience, super staff
- Sep. 27, 2021
treated me good and doctor and nurses was so caring.
- Apr. 29, 2021
Very thorough testing & exam, Dr Paradis was very good and explaining things to me during the exam. ... Customer service from the minute I walked in the clinic was so professional & welcoming. They have great selection of glasses to choose from as well!
- Mar. 09, 2021
The staff is very friendly and accommodating. Very clean comfortable office!
- Jan. 19, 2021
The ONLY place and people I trust in helping me care for my eyes.
- Aug. 19, 2020
I highly recommend Insight for any of your eye care needs. Dr. Friederichs was very friendly and to... ok the time to do a thorough exam. Anne also helped me out when I needed some contacts last minute. They are so willing to help and make your experience great.

View All 63 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Paynesville

Our optometry practice in Paynesville

Photograph of Gregory  Friederichs
Hours
  • Monday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday Closed
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 28 Closed
  • Nov. 29 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Medicare
  • United Health Care Community Plan

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(320) 204-6400