Glaucoma Treatment in Pleasanton

Glaucoma Treatment in Pleasanton

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(830) 569-8771

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. EyeTx - Atascosa 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 EyeTx - Atascosa, 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 Pleasanton


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 EyeTx - Atascosa in Pleasanton 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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499 Reviews
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- Oct. 02, 2024
Always have had a good experience here.
- Sep. 14, 2024
Wonderful, caring staff. Kourtney and Dr. Vielna were great! Efficient and caring.
- Sep. 09, 2024
Outstanding customer service. On time appointments and great variety of frames.
- Sep. 01, 2024
Love this place everyone so sweet. Service was fast and thorough
- Aug. 31, 2024
Dr.P is the best- most caring, most supporting and encouraging eye Doctor I’ve been to in over 50 ... years!
- Aug. 31, 2024
I have a retina issue and stopped in to make an appointment. The staff was able to see me right awa... y and referred me to retinal specialists in San Antonio. The staff were very professional and showed me nothing but kindness.
- Jul. 11, 2024
Dr. Prough and his staff are kind, caring, and professional. It’s obvious they truly care about t... heir patients.
- Jul. 04, 2024
I have been going to this facility since the doctor on staff was Dr. Gates. This place is great!
- Jun. 28, 2024
I wish there were more stars to give. Everyone here is so nice! Dr. V was so personable and helpful.... I highly recommend coming here.
- Jun. 24, 2024
Excellent service. Dr is great. Staff is wonderful
- Jun. 13, 2024
My daughter and I had an amazing experience at our appointment. The staff and doctor are so professi... onal, knowledgeable and friendly. They had us laughing. Highly recommend!!
- Jun. 09, 2024
Everyone was professional and friendly! Great customer service! Very pleased!!
- May. 01, 2024
EyeTX recently performed my eye exam and, to make it short, it was the best, most professional exam ... I have had in the last 45 years. Dr. Thomas Vielma was friendly, listened to my questions and concerns and performed the most comfortable and professional exam I have ever had. On-line Appointment scheduling was painless and the staff at EyeTX was friendly and professional. I would not hesitate to recommend them to friends and family.
- Apr. 20, 2024
Highly recommend our EyeTx location in Pleasanton. Staff and Dr V. are all very friendly and attent... ive to all their patients.
- Apr. 18, 2024
Great people, great customer service and I had a great experience!
- Mar. 21, 2024
Literally the nicest people in the world. The experience was so nice. ✝️🌎🩷
- Mar. 21, 2024
Friendly staff and clean facility. Dr. Prough is awesome.
- Mar. 06, 2024
Very Pleasant and Professional experience. Thank You .. Keep up the Good work.
- Feb. 26, 2024
Doctor is detailed. She friendly and helpful
- Feb. 09, 2024
This was my first visit to this location I normally make the trip to San Antonio. After getting reco... mmended by a coworker I decided to try it out. I am glad I did, the staff at the front desk were friendly and professional. Dr. Vielma was very professional and helpful when testing my eyes. He showed me what my new lenses would look like and allowed me to see the chart with them and it definitely made a huge difference compared to my current script. Staff helped me try to find frames and also helped get me the best price. I was told my glasses would be arriving in 2 weeks and I actually got them within 6 days. They came with a hard case, a bottle of lens cleaner and a cloth wipe.

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Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Pleasanton

Our optometry practice in Pleasanton

Photograph of Thomas  Vielma
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • Medicaid
  • Avesis
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • AlwaysCare
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Community Eye Care
  • Eyetopia
  • Aetna
  • Devoted Health Plans
  • Premier Provider Network

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(830) 569-8771