Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the United States.  A simple painless eye exam can detect the disease. With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can usually be controlled and blindness prevented. 

Glaucoma can affect anyone from newborn infants to the elderly.  It has been estimated that up to 3 million Americans have glaucoma.  At least half of those people do not know they have it because glaucoma usually has no symptoms. People who are at a greater risk for glaucoma usually have the following conditions:

	At least 45 years old without regular eye exams
	A family history of glaucoma
	Abnormally high eye pressure
	African descent
	Nearsightedness
	Diabetes
	Previous eye injury
	Regular, long-term use of cortisone/steroid products

To detect glaucoma, your physician will test your visual acuity, visual field, dilate your pupils and test the pressure in your eye.  Regular and complete eye exams help to monitor the changes in your eyesight and will help to determine whether you may develop glaucoma.  

Treatment to control glaucoma include medications in the form of either eye drops or pills, laser surgery and conventional surgery.

We welcome new patients. Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans are accepted. We are approved providers for most managed health care plans including Georgia Department of Community Health (State Merit).