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Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, often due to increased eye pressure from fluid buildup. This condition can lead to gradual vision loss, starting with your peripheral vision.
Glaucoma symptoms are not usually noticed in the early stages, but it is a leading cause of blindness in adults in the United States. Regular eye exams are critical for early diagnosis and preventing severe damage.
Dr. Reena A. Garg is a Board-Certified & Fellowship-trained Ophthalmologist. She specializes in glaucoma treatment – including MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries) – and cataract surgery.
She is fluent in Hindi.
Dr. Georgina Medina, M.D. is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist with Fellowship training. She focuses on glaucoma treatment, including MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries), and performs cataract surgery.
She is fluent in Spanish.
Our Doctors:
According to the American Glaucoma Society, early detection is key to preventing optic nerve damage and vision loss from glaucoma. A complete eye exam includes various tests for the most accurate glaucoma diagnosis.
The first sign of glaucoma is often the loss of peripheral or side vision but can progress to central vision. Detecting glaucoma early is one reason you should have a complete exam with an eye specialist every one to two years.
If glaucoma has been detected, it’s best to start treatment as soon as possible. Our doctors have extensive experience in glaucoma treatment in the Washington, DC, and Maryland area.
Risk rises after age 40 and increases with age.
Higher risk for African Americans, especially at a younger age.
Having a close relative with glaucoma significantly increases risk.
Diabetes Mellitus, heart disease, and extreme nearsightedness are risk factors.
Long-term steroid use can raise eye pressure.
Issues such as thin corneas or drainage problems contribute to risk.
Our glaucoma specialists use advanced diagnostic tests to ensure accurate early detection, including:
Prescription eye drops help maintain the pressure in your eye at a healthy level and are an important part of the treatment routine for many people. Treatment requires monitoring eye pressure and measuring changes in the peripheral visual field.
We are one of the few centers in the Washington, DC, DC metro area to offer our Glaucoma patients the Icare.
The treatment for glaucoma has come a long way. Today’s advanced technologies and procedures make it possible to diagnose and successfully manage this progressive disease. MIG is quickly becoming widely accepted as one of the most successful surgical techniques for treating mild-to-moderate glaucoma.
As technology has progressed, less invasive techniques have emerged that have improved the safety profile for glaucoma surgery.
After an extensive clinical trial, the FDA approval of the iStent®, Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) became a preferred approach to glaucoma management for many eye care professionals and their patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma.
SLT laser procedures use short pulses of low-energy laser to target specific cells in the drainage system of the eye to stimulate improved function. Ultimately, the SLT procedure can slow or stop the risk of disease progression. Following the laser treatment, the patient usually continues any existing glaucoma drops.
The treatment of glaucoma has evolved significantly, providing advanced surgical options that help lower intraocular pressure (IOP) while minimizing risks and recovery time. Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) has become an increasingly popular approach for managing mild-to-moderate glaucoma, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional glaucoma surgeries like trabeculectomy and tube shunts.
MIGS procedures are designed to enhance the eye’s natural drainage system, reducing pressure with minimal tissue disruption. Many MIGS techniques are performed alongside cataract surgery, allowing for a combined approach to vision and glaucoma management. Patients typically experience a quicker recovery compared to traditional glaucoma surgeries, with mild discomfort and temporary blurred vision postoperatively.
iStent® & iStent inject® (Trabecular Meshwork Bypass Stents)
One of the most well-known MIGS devices, the iStent® and its newer version, iStent inject®, are tiny titanium implants placed into Schlemm’s canal to bypass resistance in the trabecular meshwork. This allows for improved aqueous humor drainage, reducing IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma.
XEN® Gel Stent (Subconjunctival Drainage Device)
The XEN® Gel Stent is a small, flexible gel implant that creates a new drainage pathway by directing aqueous humor into the subconjunctival space, similar to a trabeculectomy but with a minimally invasive approach.
Hydrus® Microstent
The Hydrus® Microstent is another trabecular bypass device, but it is slightly larger than the iStent and spans nearly a quarter of Schlemm’s canal, offering greater outflow capacity.
OMNI® Surgical System (Goniotomy & Canaloplasty)
The OMNI® Surgical System is a multi-functional MIGS device that combines trabeculotomy and viscodilation to improve aqueous outflow through Schlemm’s canal.
Tube Shunts (Ahmed® Valve)
For moderate-to-severe glaucoma, tube shunts provide a more aggressive solution when MIGS alone may not be enough. The Ahmed® Valve is a small drainage device that diverts fluid from the anterior chamber to a reservoir under the conjunctiva.
What test does the optometrist use to diagnose glaucoma?
Common tests include visual field testing (checks peripheral vision), tonometry (measures eye pressure), and OCT imaging (views the optic nerve).
How long does a glaucoma test take?
The OCT test takes approximately 10 minutes for a baseline test. Repeat scans take approximately 5 minutes per eye and are usually done during your annual eye exam.
Can glaucoma be prevented?
While it can’t be prevented, early detection and treatment can slow progression and prevent blindness.
If you think you may have glaucoma, make sure to schedule a visit so we can help prevent the condition from worsening.
Is glaucoma treatment covered by insurance?
Most medical health insurance plans cover glaucoma treatment, including Medicare. For more insurance information from us, check out our page on medical and vision insurance.
How fast does glaucoma progress?
Glaucoma typically progresses slowly over the years, but early treatment is critical to prevent severe vision loss.
Does glaucoma cause blindness?
Untreated glaucoma can lead to blindness, but with proper care, most patients maintain stable vision.
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today and receive the best glaucoma service in eye health care.