Glaucoma Treatment in Rockford

Glaucoma Treatment in Rockford

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(815) 397-5959

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. Primary EyeCare Centers - Edgebrook 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 Primary EyeCare Centers - Edgebrook, 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 Rockford


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 Primary EyeCare Centers - Edgebrook in Rockford 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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- Nov. 27, 2024
Went in today to see dr Abraham. Made the appointment in person the day before. Have been going to P... rimary Eyecare for a decade. There have been ownership changes and I was leary however I noticed no difference at all. The staff have always been very friendly and helpful . They are fair in their rates and overall friendly people. I would recommend them in a minute.
- Sep. 12, 2024
Service was professional and friendly; Dr. Abraham was knowledgeable and caring. He understood my ne... ed and request for multi focal contacts and glasses. He customized each product for my lifestyle (work and home). I will continue my wellness services at this location.
- Aug. 24, 2024
I have been acquainted with Edgebrook primary Eyecare for we say decades now I’ve had the most won... derful opportunity to join their team and I have only positive and wonderful feelings and experiences and I absolutely love working there. The team is fabulous. They’re kind compassionate and they always have a smile, my manager, Lupe I couldn’t ask for anyone better. She has been fabulous and under her direction, she has a team that works for her that love working for her and we enjoy coming to work every day !!’n Please come visit soon
- Apr. 26, 2024
Amee the optician is very kind, sweet, and patient. The experience is 10/10!
- Mar. 26, 2024
I have been a patient of Dr. Kittle for over 15 years! He is awesome! The staff is awesome. My tech ... Rhonda was very helpful and the receptionist Ravena was very helpful as well!
- Sep. 15, 2023
Great experience, great people 💯👍👍👍
- Oct. 24, 2022
The BEST I've ever experienced! The optometrist is very thorough. The office staff is sooo pleasant.... I live out of town otherwise this would be my office of choice for life. 5 stars easily!
- Oct. 28, 2021
EDGEBROOK PRIMARY EYE CARE WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR MY WIFE AND I. THEY TAKE YOU THRU THE PROCESS ... OF THE STAGES OF GIVING A SMOOTH CHECK-UP AND ANSWER ANY CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE. THE CHOICE OF FRAMCES ARE FOR ANY BUDGET. STAFF IS GREAT.
- Sep. 30, 2021
Every employee with whom I had contact was professional and very pleasant.
- Sep. 29, 2021
Dr. Kittle is OUTSTANDING!!
- Sep. 18, 2021
Always a pleasant experience in an office staffed by warm, caring professionals.
- Aug. 28, 2021
Wonderful service. Highly recommend them.
- Aug. 20, 2021
Dr. Priyanka Patel was amazing! She worked magic on me and corrected my left eye to 20/30 vision wh... en I have never been able to read out of it (54 years)! Here manner is amazing and just a very likeable person all around. She cares about her patients and makes extraordinary efforts to make sure your prescriptions are exactly right! Don't look any further for an Optometrist. Trust me, she is the one for you!
- Aug. 12, 2021
Great practice what a fun bunch! The Dr's and staff are very thorough.
- Aug. 12, 2021
Took my son for his 1st eye appointment. They were very patient with him. I myself went to get my ey... es checked too. It was a pleasant experience. Would highly recommend.
- Jul. 16, 2021
During a routine exam I was greeted by friendly faces and rapid service. The tech ,Italiana, was fri... endly and very thorough ! She explained the testing and gave me her undivided attention with her care. Dr. Prayika Patel was prompt to ask for an additional test after noticing a troubling area in my right eye. She was comforting and clearly showed me what concerned her that day. She was professional but very caring. She discovered that I needed eye surgery and Italia followed up immediately by getting a date set for surgery before I left my appointment. I am so impressed with the level of care I experienced and I appreciate each of those who provided me with sight-saving care ! Thank you, Primary Eye Care !
- Jul. 15, 2021
Dr Patel was awesome. Took a lot of time and explained everything to me. Her assistant, Erica was ... superb. Very friendly and organized business. I highly recommend!
- Jul. 10, 2021
Michelle helped me find the perfect pair of glasses for me. She was kind, patient, professional, and... knowledgeable.
- Jun. 30, 2021
Dr Kittle has been our family eye doctor for years. He is amazing. He is very kind and really cares ... about his patients. He is the most knowledgeable vision Doctor I have ever know. He always makes us feel comfortable during the exams and he has a fun sense of humor. He makes my sons comfortable by talking about Star Wars to help them relax during the exam. He is very patient. My son when younger had a vision condition that is uncommon and really was impacting his life. Other types of doctors were miss diagnosing him with other conditions but but Dr. Kittle found right away that his situation was due to his eyes. All my son needed was vision therapy and his condition he had is completely gone after the therapy. I have a neurological condition and I have had 2 brain surgeries and he understands how my condition effects my eyes. Plus I am very difficult to fit for contacts because of complex condition with my eyes but he had always been able to find contacts that work for me. Just this week I was having an issue with my eyes and he came in a half an hour earlier just to see me because he was double booked with patients that day. After the exam he did find my eyes did need treatment and I really appreciate him coming in to work early just to treat me before his day started. He is truly a great doctor. I highly recommend him. Technicians to do adjustments are awesome. I like them all and they are all very kind and professional. Victor is very kind and always greets me when I come in. I will always recommend anyone to go here. I would not go anywhere else.
- Jun. 30, 2021
Dr Anderson is always very kind, attentive and professional. Very detailed examination. When choosin... g frames/glasses lots of variety with brand name, style and sizes for all. Luke was an excellent optician to assist with selecting and ordering my new frames. He was even able to get my pair from last year that were broken covered under warranty. Great place for excellent care and customer service! Highly recommend!

View All 211 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Rockford

Our optometry practice in Rockford

Photograph of Justin  Abraham
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(815) 397-5959