Glaucoma Treatment in Commerce City

Glaucoma Treatment in Commerce City

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(720) 499-8349

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. North Range Eye Care 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 North Range Eye Care, 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 Commerce City


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 North Range Eye Care in Commerce City 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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316 Reviews
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- Oct. 04, 2024
BLUETIFUL & KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF, they blew my eye balls mind..I was very impressed with care & optio... ns they offered…but if you need your eye balls massaged, it’s the perfect place… oh you don’t know what that feels like, guess you need to get over there & experience eye ball care & love… but that’s just how I felt..well how about you be their guess & find out for yourself….
- Oct. 01, 2024
Providers are knowledgeable, thorough, and took time to explain my condition. My new prescription ... is working well, and I will be back again whenever I need eye care.
- Sep. 25, 2024
Friendly and competent staff with a welcoming environment. Definitely recommend!
- Sep. 15, 2024
Great customer service from the staff. You can easily tell they care about their clients, I would re... commend them to everyone,
- Sep. 13, 2024
Dr. Hite is excellent. He takes his time, doesn't rush your appointment, and answers questions with... thoughtfulness and informed feedback. Also, the personnel at the front desk are enjoyable, helpful and establishing an appointment and answering questions, and made me feel valued.
- Aug. 15, 2024
Great service and staff. Very kind and professional which made my appointment easy
- Jul. 14, 2024
I've been going here for years. Really appreciate them knowing my eye history. And having a plan mov... ing forward. Friendly and professional.
- Jun. 25, 2024
Love love love this optometrist. I love my contacts and their glasses selection is good. You’re ... able to get all your needs met in one place. Customers service is excellent and they care for you and your family.
- Jun. 06, 2024
Great staff and care!
- May. 25, 2024
The Best!!!! I love the doctor's and team. They are all very kind, knowledgeable and empathic. I'm a... lways greeted with a smile and a warm greeting when I come in. The doctor's are outstanding and the best I've ever experienced. The office is cute, clean and there are tons of beautiful glasses to purchase for men and woman. If your reading this review and looking for the best of the best-look no further. I love this team.
- May. 22, 2024
Dr. Hite and his staff go above and beyond expectation.
- May. 13, 2024
Very friendly professional and overall every time I have an appointment I have the best experience.
- May. 10, 2024
Great place to have you eye care taken care of. Friendly people, easy scheduling and great facility....
- May. 05, 2024
The people are super nice and the place was spotless.
- Apr. 19, 2024
Very professional office, the staff is pleasant.
- Apr. 15, 2024
This office is my all-time-favorite eye office! The staff is always incredibly friendly and helpful,... and the doctors are attentive and caring.
- Apr. 11, 2024
Very good.
- Apr. 09, 2024
Great service, very professional
- Apr. 06, 2024
Very satisfied with their staff and facility. They make you feel like you are the only patient ther... e during your appointment.
- Mar. 29, 2024
This is my 4th year in a row going to them. I have never had a bad experience there. Everyone is sup... er friendly and very professional. Plus, they never try to push any procedure and/or product on you. I will keep going there for as long as I can!

View All 316 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Commerce City

Our optometry practice in Commerce City

Photograph of David  Hite
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday Closed
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Humana
  • Tricare
  • Medicaid
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue View Vision
  • TriWest
  • Colorado Access
  • Child Health Plan Plus

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(720) 499-8349