Understanding the connection between aging and glaucoma is crucial for promoting early detection and effective management. At Schwartz Laser Eye Center, serving patients in Scottsdale, Glendale, and Mesa, AZ, our eye doctors’ diagnostic evaluations are designed to identify glaucoma in its earliest stages and support long-term vision preservation.

Age as a Primary Risk Factor

The risk of developing glaucoma increases notably with age. While the condition may affect younger individuals, it becomes significantly more prevalent in those over the age of 60. The structural and physiological changes that occur in the eye over time — such as reduced aqueous humor outflow, thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, and changes to the trabecular meshwork — contribute to a higher likelihood of pressure-related optic nerve damage.

In particular, primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease, tends to develop slowly and becomes more likely with advancing age. Angle-closure glaucoma, while less common, also increases in frequency in older populations due to anatomical narrowing of the drainage angle.

The Role of Routine Screening

Because glaucoma often develops without noticeable visual symptoms in its early stages, age-appropriate screening is essential. Patients over 60, or those with a family history of glaucoma, are typically advised to undergo regular comprehensive eye exams that include measurements of intraocular pressure, imaging of the optic nerve, and visual field testing.

At Schwartz Laser Eye Center, our ophthalmologists and optometrists utilize high-resolution imaging modalities, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), to assess optic nerve health and retinal thickness. These tools help identify changes before functional vision is affected, which is particularly important in older adults where the condition may be progressing silently.

Long-Term Management Considerations

Although there is no cure for glaucoma, early diagnosis allows for effective management strategies that aim to reduce intraocular pressure and preserve existing vision. With age-related changes in eye anatomy and general health, glaucoma treatment may evolve over time. The team at Schwartz Laser Eye Center provides ongoing monitoring and care tailored to each patient’s needs, taking into account their age, ocular findings, and overall health status.

Schedule a Glaucoma Evaluation

If you are over 60 years old or have concerns about glaucoma, a comprehensive eye examination may be advisable. Contact Schwartz Laser Eye Center at 480-483-3937 to schedule a consultation at one of our locations in Scottsdale, Glendale, or Mesa, AZ. Early evaluation is key to supporting long-term optic nerve health and visual function.

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At Schwartz Laser Eye Center, advanced diagnostic technology and personalized care help determine the best course of treatment for each patient. With a variety of treatment options available, our renowned team of ophthalmologists and optometrists works closely with you to develop a plan that supports their vision goals.

Treatment Options for Glaucoma

Prescription Eye Drops

One of the most common approaches to managing glaucoma involves the use of medicated eye drops. These drops are designed to help maintain optimal eye pressure and are often recommended as an initial treatment. Consistent use as prescribed is important to achieve the desired outcome.

Laser Therapy

Minimally invasive laser treatments are available to support eye health by promoting proper fluid drainage. Procedures such as selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) can be considered based on the type of glaucoma diagnosed. These treatments are performed in-office and involve the use of specialized laser technology.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

For patients who may need an additional approach, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) offers advanced treatment options. These procedures involve small incisions and specialized technology to help manage eye pressure effectively. MIGS is typically performed in conjunction with cataract surgery but can also be recommended as a standalone procedure when necessary. The goal of MIGS is to enhance the eye’s natural fluid outflow, supporting overall eye health.

Customized Treatment Plans for Optimal Care

Because glaucoma affects each person differently, a customized approach to treatment is essential. The specialists at Schwartz Laser Eye Center assess a variety of factors, including overall eye health, lifestyle considerations, and treatment goals, to develop a plan tailored to individual needs. With access to state-of-the-art technology and innovative treatment techniques, patients can feel confident that their care plan is designed with long-term eye health in mind.

Schedule a Consultation

Regular eye exams play a key role in detecting and managing glaucoma. Schwartz Laser Eye Center’s experienced eye doctors offer advanced diagnostic testing and personalized treatment recommendations to support lifelong vision in Scottsdale, Glendale, and Mesa, Arizona. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call (480) 483-3937 today.

The post Determining the Right Glaucoma Treatment to Protect Your Eyes and Vision appeared first on Schwartz Laser.

What Causes High Intraocular Pressure?

Increased eye pressure is caused when the aqueous humor that is created in the eye does not drain from the eye as expected. There are several conditions that can cause this, including:

Uveitis: This condition is a type of eye inflammation that impacts the middle of the eye.

Pigment dispersion syndrome: PDS is a form of open-angle glaucoma in which granules of pigment from the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, break away and float to other parts of the eye, including the eye’s drainage angle, where they can cause a blockage.

Cataracts: Cataracts are the clouding of the natural eye lens, an area that is supposed to be transparent. When the cataract is particularly large and dense, it can close the drainage angle in the eye.

Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, can lead to high eye pressure.

Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma

Glaucoma is associated with elevated eye pressure. Over time, this increased pressure can impact the optic nerve, damaging it and jeopardizing your vision in the process.

Symptoms

It is important for patients to realize that high intraocular pressure usually does not present symptoms. It is important to have regular eye examinations so that this and other conditions can be properly diagnosed.

Are You at Risk?

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing high intraocular pressure, including:

• Being age 40
• Family history of glaucoma or high eye pressure
• Severe refractive errors
• Medical conditions like diabetes or pigment dispersion syndrome
• Hypertension
• Injury or trauma to the eye

Treating High Intraocular Pressure

High intraocular pressure treatment is related to your risk of developing glaucoma. For patients who have a high risk, eye drops may be prescribed to help manage high pressure within the eye. In addition, the team at Schwartz Laser may recommend laser treatment to lower intraocular pressure.

Schedule an Appointment

If you have high intraocular pressure, early treatment can help reduce your risk of developing glaucoma. Regular eye examinations are key to preserving your vision. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

The post How High Intraocular Pressure Jeopardizes Your Vision appeared first on Schwartz Laser.

Dr. Jay L. Schwartz is an experienced ophthalmologist serving patients in Scottsdale, Glendale, Phoenix and Mesa. He takes pride in using his breadth of knowledge and experience to both educate and treat his patients. Here, Dr. Schwartz discusses four important facts you may not know about glaucoma.

1.    Glaucoma Is a Leading Cause of Blindness

If glaucoma is left untreated, it can cause vision loss and eventually blindness. Across the globe, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. There is no cure for glaucoma, and the damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible.

2.    Some People Have an Increased Risk for Glaucoma

Anyone can get glaucoma. However, some people have an increased risk for glaucoma. If any of the following apply to you, you may have an increased risk for glaucoma:

• Family history of glaucoma
• High internal eye pressure
• Over 55 years old
• Black, Asian or Hispanic heritage
• Certain medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
• Thin corneas
• Eye injury
• High myopia (nearsightedness)
• High hyperopia (farsightedness)

If any of the above are true for you, you should talk to your eye doctor about checking for glaucoma.

3.    Initially Glaucoma May Have No Symptoms

In its early stages, glaucoma may have no symptoms. That is why a majority of people are unaware that they have glaucoma. This may mean that they don’t seek treatment until the disease is in its later stages. Delaying diagnosis and treatment only increases the risk of irreversible vision loss.

4.    Glaucoma Is Treatable

There is no cure for glaucoma and any vision loss is irreversible. However, glaucoma is treatable. Treatment options include eye drops, oral medication or eye surgery.

The only way to begin treatment for glaucoma is to have it diagnosed by an eye doctor. An eye doctor can check for glaucoma as part of a comprehensive eye exam. During the eye exam, the eye doctor will dilate the patient’s pupils and check for glaucoma.

Contact Schwartz Laser Eye Center Today

If you have glaucoma, you want a talented team of ophthalmologists and optometrists on your side. Dr. Schwartz leads a team of outstanding ophthalmologists and optometrists in Scottsdale, Glendale, Phoenix and Mesa today. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam by calling (480) 483-3937 or filling out our online contact form.

The post 4 Important Facts You May Not Know About Glaucoma appeared first on Schwartz Laser.

Open Angle Glaucoma

The most common form of glaucoma is open angle glaucoma. Open angle glaucoma occurs over time. It results from the eye drainage canals slowly becoming clogged. This clogging increases eye pressure. Over time, the increased pressure causes damage to the optic nerve which can lead to vision loss. It is important to schedule regular eye exams because open angle glaucoma can go unnoticed with relatively few symptoms.

Angle Closure Glaucoma

Angle closure glaucoma is also called acute glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma. Angle closure glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to avoid permanent vision loss. You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience sudden and intense pain in your eyes combined with headache, nausea, red eyes, halos around lights, blurred vision and/or a sudden loss of sight.

With angle closure glaucoma, the outer edge of your iris prevents fluid from draining out of your eye. This clogging causes a rapid increase in eye pressure. Angle closure glaucoma is very noticeable and can cause vision loss if not treated immediately.

Normal Tension Glaucoma

The cause of normal tension glaucoma is unknown. In normal tension glaucoma, eye pressure remains normal, but the optic nerve is still damaged. Normal tension glaucoma is diagnosed by damage to the optic nerve. Regular eye exams can help to diagnose optic nerve damage early on.

If you miss your regular eye exams, and your normal tension glaucoma goes untreated, you may begin to experience symptoms. Symptoms of normal tension glaucoma include a loss of your peripheral vision. Over time your vision will narrow, eventually leading to complete vision loss.

Congenital Glaucoma

Congenital glaucoma is a rare disease that affects children and babies. Congenital glaucoma results from a birth defect impacting the development of the eye. Early treatment and diagnosis are essential to mitigating vision loss.

Secondary Glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma is glaucoma caused by an acquired condition. Secondary glaucoma can be caused by diabetes, eye trauma, inflammation, and steroids.

The iStent inject^® W Procedure

The best way to protect your vision is to schedule regular eye exams with an experienced ophthalmologist. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will discuss your treatment options with you. If you are diagnosed with mild to moderate open angle glaucoma, your ophthalmologist may recommend iStent inject^® W for the treatment and control of your eye pressure.

Dr. Orry Birdsong is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a trusted physician at the Schwartz Laser Eye Center. He provides comprehensive eye care for his patients and can perform the iStent inject^® W procedure. To schedule an eye exam with Dr. Birdsong, contact the Schwartz Laser Eye Center today.

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Elevated eye pressure is a key warning sign for glaucoma and macular degeneration. For each of these serious conditions, there are no obvious symptoms until very late in the progression of the disease, when it is often too late to prevent partial or total loss of vision. Glaucoma and macular degeneration can affect patients of any age, but are more prevalent among older populations.

Dr. Schwartz and the trusted professionals at the Schwartz Laser Eye Center are skilled in discovering the warning signs of glaucoma early, before you notice symptoms and your field of vision begins to narrow.

Intraocular Eye Pressure

The term glaucoma encompasses several related conditions that damage the optic nerve, each announcing its presence only at a very late stage. The optic nerve is vital to your sense of sight, transmitting visual data from the eye to the brain. Without a properly functioning optic nerve, blindness results.

The buildup of pressure within the eyes is glaucoma’s first silent warning sign. During a comprehensive exam, Dr. Schwartz will check for ocular hypertension by measuring the pressure of the aqueous humor, the fluid within your eyes. Eye care professionals typically use non-contact tonometry (NCT) or applanation tonometry to do this.

NCT uses an instrument that emits a quick puff of air toward the surface of the eye. Only this gentle plume of air makes contact with the cornea. This test is most useful as a screening test. NCT results can provide your doctor with a clue that further investigation is needed by performing applanation tonometry or a visual test, or in some cases directly examining and photographing your optic nerve. Applanation tonometry measures intraocular pressure with a small sensor that gently touches the surface of your eye.

Risk Factors

Some individuals are at higher risk for developing glaucoma, including African Americans, patients over 60, diabetics or anyone with a family history of the disease. A correlation of risk with an unhealthy lifestyle is less clear, but it is a good idea nonetheless to eat healthfully, maintain recommended weight, exercise and avoid smoking and excessive amounts of alcohol.

The importance of identifying glaucoma early cannot be overstated. Although vision loss resulting from the disease will never be restored, glaucoma’s progression can be slowed by daily use of eye drops to reduce eye pressure, or with surgery.

If you’re overdue for an exam that will test for glaucoma, or if you would simply like to learn more about the disease, we invite you to schedule an appointment with skilled ophthalmologist Dr. Jay Schwartz at his Phoenix, Glendale or Scottsdale office by calling or emailing Schwartz Laser Eye Center today.

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