Glaucoma

Glaucoma progressively damages your sight, but it’s controllable with early detection and treatment.

Looking for a solution for glaucoma?

Glaucoma doesn’t cause symptoms at first, so it’s essential to have regular eye exams and quickly respond to any changes in your vision. At Coastal Eye in Greenwich, Connecticut, our experienced ophthalmologist Omar Shakir, MD, MBA, diagnoses and treats glaucoma, so you can manage the pressure in your eye and preserve your vision. If you are experiencing issues with your retina, check out our retina services.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that progressively damages your optic nerve. Your optic nerve is located in the back of your eye and plays a prominent role in helping you see. The optic nerve connects your eyes to your brain, carrying sensory information from your retina that your brain converts into images.

Glaucoma results from a gradual increase in eye pressure. Your eyes continually produce a fluid called aqueous humor, which performs a number of functions, including nourishing your corneas and lenses and maintaining eye pressure. Normally, aqueous humor flows freely in and out of your eyes, but if it can’t drain properly, it builds up, which damages the optic nerve.

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma develops gradually and usually doesn’t cause symptoms in its early stages. By the time glaucoma is noticeable, it’s already caused permanent eye damage and vision loss. Glaucoma is known as the silent thief of sight, and the best way to prevent glaucoma is to see a doctor regularly. If you have elevated eye pressure, you can’t tell on your own, so regular eye exams are crucial.

At first, glaucoma damages your peripheral (side) vision. You may be able to adjust to and tolerate these changes to your sight because they’re so gradual. Your vision may seem just as sharp as it was before until the disease progresses to later stages. Dr. Shakir can detect the earliest signs of glaucoma and test your eye pressure to predict your risk.

Without treatment, glaucoma can cause partial or complete blindness. You can’t regain lost vision from glaucoma, but with early treatment, you can slow the progression of the disease and protect your sight. The Coastal Eye practice has the latest, most advanced visual field machines, which can diagnose glaucoma and measure vision loss.

How is glaucoma treated?

Though there’s no cure for glaucoma, treatment can reduce eye pressure and protect your vision. Note that treatment can’t restore lost vision, which is part of why it’s so important to get regular eye exams. Dr. Shakir may prescribe eye drops, oral medication, or both. Though they have different mechanisms, glaucoma medication reduces eye pressure by reducing fluid production and/or improving the flow of fluid out of your eye.

If medication alone isn’t enough to reduce your eye pressure, Dr. Shakir can perform surgery. Surgery options include trabeculoplasty, which opens up clogged channels in your eye, and tube shunts, implantable devices that give your eyes new drainage channels. Dr. Shakir offers the latest in surgical approaches, including MicroPulse® laser trabeculoplasty and minimally invasive surgery. Call or use the online scheduling tool to schedule an appointment with our surgeon.

Why choose Coastal Eye Surgeons to treat glaucoma?

Coastal Eye takes pride in offering expert-level eye care in a stunning boutique surgical suite equipped with the latest technologies Connecticut has to offer. Dr. Omar Shakir, our specialist in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery, also possesses extensive knowledge in modern eye care, allowing him to diagnose and treat all vision problems, including any stage of glaucoma.

Our compassionate doctors provide top-quality care in a comfortable, clean atmosphere, ensuring your peace of mind. If you’re due for a regular eye exam, don’t wait! With offices in Greenwich and New Canaan, Coastal Eye serves the greater New York and Connecticut areas, making us a convenient choice for your regular eye care needs.

Coastal Eye boasts the best cataract technology in Connecticut, including state-of-the-art equipment such as the top cataract machine, microscope, femtosecond laser, and IOLs. Our incredible outcomes and rave reviews speak for themselves. Patients can undergo complex eye surgery in a super comfortable setting, led by the most skilled surgeon in the area.