Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. It occurs when the pressure inside the eye rises, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain or other noticeable symptoms – so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed.

Sometimes symptoms do occur. They may include:

• Blurred vision
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Halo effects around lights
• Painful or reddened eyes

People at high risk include those who are over the age of 40, diabetic, near-sighted, African-American, or who have a family history of glaucoma.

To detect glaucoma, our physicians will test your vision and eye pressure and perform advanced diagnostic testing including computer diagnostic measurements of your optic nerve, Humphrey visual field testing, and ocular blood flow analysis.

Once diagnosed, glaucoma can usually be controlled. Glaucoma is a life-long disease. Regular follow-up visits and strict adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen are essential to preserve your sight. Most patients’ glaucoma can be managed with prescription eye drops.

Sometimes laser surgery or more invasive filtering surgery is required. Dr. Witlin uses the latest laser technology, SLT (selective laser trabeculoplasty) to treat his patients who need more care than eye drops alone can provide. He has performed hundreds of SLT procedures, which is a safe and effective treatment that takes only minutes to perform.

"We treat every patient like a celebrity!"