Glaucoma Treatment in Cottage Grove

Glaucoma Treatment in Cottage Grove

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(651) 459-9000

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. Cottage Grove Eye Clinic 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 Cottage Grove Eye Clinic, 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 Cottage Grove


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 Cottage Grove Eye Clinic in Cottage Grove 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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116 Reviews
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- Sep. 24, 2024
Very friendly and helpful staff! Will continue to go back!
- Sep. 10, 2024
great eye dr
- Aug. 15, 2024
The best eye doctor around! Dr. Cole is amazing and so freaking smart!!
- Aug. 08, 2024
Whole team is very personable.
- Aug. 08, 2024
Great place to get glasses and highly recommend. Although do not go past 6 pm on Wednesday. Cause t... hey close. The website and e mail show 7 pm closing. Can get a bit frustrating. Hope they change that soon!
- Jul. 17, 2024
This was the most welcomed I’ve felt for an appointment! The entire process was great and everyone... had such great energy. Will absolutely be returning and recommending to friends and family!
- Jul. 05, 2024
Very patient with kids. Easy to work with and a great experience from exam to glasses pick up!
- Jun. 27, 2024
I brought my 79 yr old mother to this clinic the other day and EVERYONE at this clinic from the opto... metrist, Kim Nyugen to the optician Leann to the ladies who checked us in treated us like we were their family. The service and person treatment we received made my mom’s heart melt. Thank you!
- Apr. 22, 2024
I wish I got the name of the optician who helped me with my broken glasses this morning. She was aw... esome. I am a patient of the clinic, but I was a walk-in today. I sat on my favorite pair of computer/reading glasses, and they broke. I thought for sure I was going to be stuck buying a new pair, which also meant waiting days to get them. NOT TODAY! The optician took them in the back and after a little magic, she had them back to normal. It's difficult to tell they were ever broken. THAT is reason enough for me to keep coming back. THANK YOU!!!!!
- Mar. 03, 2024
The care I recieved was fantastic. Ella was super helpful with explaining and trying to help us figu... re out insurance coverage for my fiance. All the staff were very friendly and great!
- Feb. 03, 2024
I had a very positive experience at this clinic. I felt confident that my needs were appropriately m... et in a respectful manner.
- Jan. 11, 2024
Per normal, everyone is always amazing and caring. Thank you
- Jun. 12, 2023
Excellent Services, I would recommend to everyone. Thanks!
- Apr. 24, 2023
Very friendly staff, doctor is very good and knows his information! Clean and in and out quickly
- Nov. 04, 2022
Great service to include convenient scheduling, excellent customer service and detailed eye exam.
- Jul. 08, 2022
Very friendly and knowledgeable.
- Jun. 26, 2022
Dr. Cole has taken care of my family for so many years ! He is excellent eye doctor! I recommend com... ing to get your eyes check with him !
- Apr. 04, 2022
Thorough analysis of my eyes and helpful information. Good choices for glasses and options with them... .
- Feb. 14, 2022
Very friendly, fast, and professional. Nothing but good things to say about this clinic.
- Nov. 26, 2021
Dr Cole and the entire staff are very professional and knowledgeable and provided a great customer e... xperience

View All 116 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Cottage Grove

Our optometry practice in Cottage Grove

Photograph of Taylor  Lauermann
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • United Health Care Community Plan

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(651) 459-9000