Glaucoma

Once you’ve lost any amount of vision due to glaucoma, it’s gone for good. Though it begins without symptoms, glaucoma is easily diagnosed and can be prevented.

How? By visiting the eye doctors at Progressive Eye Care for routine eye disease screenings, which are included in your regular eye exams.

Our office can protect your sight and offer glaucoma treatment for patients in Draper, Sandy, and South Jordan, UT — so don’t delay.

Our Team Routinely Screens for Glaucoma

HERE ARE THE BASICS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Initially Asymptomatic

The reason why glaucoma is so dangerous is because many people don’t even realize they have the condition. It can easily worsen over time, leading to permanent vision loss. Fortunately, you can take a preventative approach with routine screenings and exams.

Multiple Types

Glaucoma has a variety of different types and subtypes, which can impact their presentation and progression. Three of the most common kinds that our eye doctors see are called open-angle glaucoma, normal-pressure glaucoma, and angle-closure glaucoma.

Causes Optic Nerve Damage

When drainage canals in your eye cannot release the normal amounts of aqueous humor — or any amount at all — your intraocular pressure (IOP), or eye pressure, will rise, damaging your optic nerve and worsening your vision irreversibly.

What is Glaucoma?

A PICTURE OR TWO WILL HELP

The eye produces and circulated aqueous fluid to give nutrients to the non-vascular areas in the front of the eye. If the balance of fluid production and outflow get out of balance, or a blockage occurs, fluid pressure in the eye can build up and damage the optic nerve. The optic nerves it the connection that sends images from your retina to your brain. If enough damage occurs, vison loss is gradual but permanent.

Understanding Common Types

OF GLAUCOMA

Our South Jordan, UT office pairs every glaucoma diagnosis with patient education. If you’ve recently been diagnosed, have a family history, or are interested in preventative eye disease screenings, here’s what you need to know about some of the main types.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

When we see a patient for glaucoma, they likely have the most common kind: open-angle glaucoma. It’s caused by improper, partial drainage of the aqueous humor. Essentially, only a fraction of the necessary release can occur.

As a result, it may lead your eye pressure to increase. There is an exception, though: normal-pressure glaucoma. While your average eye pressure remains the same, it’s still a serious type of glaucoma and will need prompt care just like all the other types.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Unlike other types of glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma can progress quickly, potentially leading to swift changes in your quality of vision. It’s marked by a complete obstruction in your drainage canals. As a result, no aqueous humor will be able to flow out of your eye.

This causes your eye pressure to increase — and any worsening of your vision will be lifelong. You should always visit us if you ever notice any changes in your eyesight because the danger can be permanent and severe, similar to angle-closure glaucoma.

Protect Your Vision

WITH A GLAUCOMA CONSULTATION

Our optometry and ophthalmology providers believe in creating a comfortable, stress-free environment for all patients. Some of the advantages of choosing our South Jordan office over other practices in Salt Lake City, UT, include:

BILINGUAL STAFF

Se habla Español. If you or a loved one are looking for an eye care team that can communicate with you, our office is proud to have Spanish-speaking team members. That way, you can be fully relaxed and informed throughout your visits.

COMPREHENSIVE OPTIONS

Having both optometrists and an ophthalmologist on our team allows us to provide more comprehensive options. From medications to minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, we can tailor treatment to your needs.

WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS

Your vision is invaluable. To make it easier for you to protect your sight — and your health — we offer select weekend appointments on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PRIORITY APPOINTMENTS

Concerned about changes in your vision? We understand the urgency of quickly advancing angle-closure glaucoma. That’s why we have priority appointments, which allow our doctors to help you in an emergency.

Patients rarely know if they are experiencing changes in eye pressure that lead to angle-closure or open-angle glaucoma. Fortunately, our team is here to help with preventative screenings and visual field testing. Contact us to begin or call our office today. We’re happy to help patients from throughout Utah.

801-676-2020

Our Established Affiliations

How Our Doctors

DIAGNOSE GLAUCOMA

Each eye exam at our Draper-area office includes a glaucoma screening. For patients with a family history or other related risks, we can also do:

Eye Pressure

We routinely screen for high eye pressure (intraocular pressure) during every eye exam.

We use the iCare Tonometer and/or Goldmann Tonometry to establish a baseline and to track treatment over time.

Corneal Thickness

Corneal Thickness (pachymetry) helps us properly assess the risk of glaucoma.

Visual Field Testing

Our doctors use visual field testing to determine if you have glaucoma. Most notably, the symptoms can be evident by decreased peripheral vision. Finally, if you visit us consistently for eye exams, we can tell if you ever lose peripheral vision over time — making it easier to address eye problems as they’re happening.

OCT Scans

Another method that we use for glaucoma diagnosis is an optic coherence tomography, or OCT, scan. It may be paired with eye drops to cause dilation. This type of imaging will show us what your optic nerve looks like. If we see evidence of glaucoma-related optic nerve damage, we can give you case-specific treatment in our South Jordan, UT, office.

Optic Nerve Photos

Digital Retinal Imaging with Optomap gives us a view of the optic nerve, and provides excellent documentation of any change over time. Glaucoma is a multi-factored disease which requires careful and comprehensive review of many factors for effective early detection and long-term management.

From Sandy to Draper, UT

PATIENTS TRUST OUR EYE DOCTORS

Karlene Jimenez

I had a great experience at Progressive Eye Care. Everyone was friendly and professional. Dr. Hope took the time to explain the procedures and treatment options thoroughly. I would definitely recommend this practice!

Jennifer elison

What an amazing office! So friendly and kind. 100% confidence in this office. Dr Broadhead is second to none. I will refer all my friends and family to him.

Glaucoma Treatment Options

AT OUR UTAH PRACTICE

Our South Jordan team specializes in early detection. This makes it easier for us to manage your glaucoma with our three main types of glaucoma treatment, with care coordinated with our team of affiliated specialists.

Medication

Both our optometrists and ophthalmologists can prescribe medications to help you manage your glaucoma.

We might prescribe Alphagan, Combigan, Travatan, Xalatan, or Lumigan, which are all types of eye drops. We can also prescribe generic versions for more affordable care.

Laser Trabeculoplasty

If your glaucoma requires more aggressive measures, we can perform targeted laser treatments. Our two effective options are selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT). The main goal of each involves improving aqueous humor drainage. We can explain the benefits of the two during your consultation.

Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery

Also known as MIGS, microinvasive glaucoma surgery encompasses several different kinds of glaucoma surgeries. Some may make it easier for aqueous humor to drain, while others can decrease your eye pressure. Many times, it will be combined with cataract surgery, as cataracts and glaucoma commonly occur together.

Need Additional Care?

WE CAN REFER TO TRUSTED SPECIALISTS

Our South Jordan team specializes in early detection and treatment of glaucoma. Our team of in-house and affiliate doctors allow us to provide the full range of treatment for the management of glaucoma.

Even in Emergencies PATIENTS CAN RELY ON US

"Excellent service, caring and attentive. I called in with somewhat of an emergency and even though they were closing, they told me to come in to be seen. Above and beyond." - DAVID ARELLANO

How Can I Cover the Costs of my glaucoma treatment?

With glaucoma treatment, you’re investing in lasting vision for years to come. We accept several payment options, in addition to cash and credit cards, like:

Vision Insurance

Your vision insurance will cover at least a portion of the costs for routine eye disease screenings, treatment, and eye exams.

Medical Insurance

You can also potentially use your medical insurance to help with glaucoma treatment. We can help you explore your options.

Payment Plans

No patient should have to choose between their eyesight and their budget. For streamlined care, we can work with you to outline a payment plan.

Progressive Eye Care

Dr. Jeffrey Broadhead, OD and his team of optometry and ophthalmology providers offer comprehensive treatments to improve the vision of patients from our offices in South Jordan, UT. Our doctors are members of professional associations, including:

American Academy of Ophthalmology

American Optometric Association

American Board of Ophthalmology

Utah Optometric Association

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

American Academy of Orthokeratology & Myopia Control

To schedule an appointment at our South Jordan optometry practice, you can contact us online or give us a call at (801) 676-2020.

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