Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide and affects up to three million Americans. At Vistasite Eye Care in The Bronx, New York City, experienced optometrist Rostislav Ryvkin, OD, specializes in glaucoma treatment. There’s no cure, but intervention can slow the progression and preserve your vision. Call Vistasite Eye Care in The Bronx today to schedule glaucoma treatment or book your appointment online. 

Does glaucoma cause vision loss?

Yes. Glaucoma is a blanket term for several eye diseases that damage the optic nerve –– a component at the back of your eye that sends visual messages to your brain. As the damage worsens, it causes permanent vision loss.

Does glaucoma present symptoms?

Glaucoma develops slowly at first, but as the disease progresses, symptoms include:

• Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision
• Seeing halos around lights
• Eye pain
• Blurred vision

Contact Dr. Ryvkin at Vistasite Eye Care in The Bronx if you have any of these symptoms. 

Are there different types of glaucoma?

At Vistasite Eye Care in The Bronx, Dr. Ryvkin treats several types of glaucoma, including:

Open-angle glaucoma

This type occurs when the back of your eye fails to drain properly. If fluids build up in your eye, pressure increases on your optic nerve, causing permanent damage.

Angle-closure glaucoma

This type causes your iris to bulge outward, preventing your eye from draining. The blockage allows fluid to build up, damaging your optic nerve.

Normal-tension glaucoma

This type causes damage to your optic nerve without an increase in eye pressure. It’s caused by atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries).

How does an optometrist diagnose glaucoma?

Dr. Ryvkin reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes an eye exam. He also orders several tests, including: 

• Gonioscopy to measure the drainage angles at the back of your eye
• Visual field tests to check for vision loss
• Imaging tests to check for optic nerve damage
• Tonometry to measure your intraocular pressure

After gathering the necessary information, Dr. Ryvkin makes personalized treatment recommendations.

How does an optometrist treat glaucoma?

There’s no way to cure glaucoma, but it’s possible to slow its progression. Typically, Dr. Ryvkin recommends routine eye exams and prescription eye drops to prevent damage to your optic nerve.

There are several types of prescription eye drops. Dr. Ryvkin might suggest:

• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors to slow the production of eye fluid
• Alpha-adrenergic agonists to reduce the amount of fluid that flows through your eyes
• Beta blockers to reduce the production of eye fluid
• Prostaglandins to increase the outflow of fluid in your eye

Dr. Ryvkin might prescribe more than one kind of eye drop, depending on your needs.

Call Vistasite Eye Care in The Bronx today to receive treatment for glaucoma, or use the online booking feature.