What You Should Know - Glaucoma

At Pepose Vision Institute, we believe that the best glaucoma patient is an informed glaucoma patient. Compare our experience, skills and service to other providers. You'll see why we're leading the way in glaucoma diagnosis and management, both in the bi-state region and in the entire United States.

If you want to preserve your functional vision for a lifetime, ask your glaucoma doctor if...
  • They use the most advanced early detection glaucoma testing equipment? - our answer
  • They know why measuring eye pressure is not a foolproof way to detect glaucoma? - our answer
  • Other doctors recommend them? - our answer
  • They understand that medication options to treat glaucoma may not always be patient-friendly? - our answer
  • They do more than glaucoma? - our answer
  • They can offer you a "cold" laser treatment if medically indicated? - our answer
  • They are directly involved in your eye exam and your treatment planning? - our answer
  • They are available to you, even after office hours? - our answer
  • They are committed to your vision for a lifetime? - our answer
They use the most advanced early detection glaucoma testing equipment?

Many eye doctors rely on older, less expensive machines to assess whether a patient has glaucoma. Pepose Vision Institute has invested in such advanced technologies as the Nerve Fiber Analyzer, which can detect glaucoma years ahead of these older devices. This means that we can control your glaucoma before you suffer irreversible vision loss. Our doctors have the training and experience to properly interpret these diagnostic results so that they can create a precise treatment plan for each individual patient. - back to top

They know why measuring eye pressure is not a foolproof way to detect glaucoma?

It turns out that many of the simple devices used to measure eye pressure give lots of false positives and negatives. This means that people who really don't have glaucoma may be subjected to a lifetime of expensive, unnecessary medications, while others who really do have glaucoma remain untreated. Our doctors understand that these false readings can occur because of a patient's corneal thickness or ocular structure. We are at the forefront in developing state-of-the-art eye pressure measurement devices, and use them to ensure accurate eye pressure readings for all of our patients. - back to top

Other doctors recommend them?

When MDs were surveyed and asked "to whom would you refer your family members if they needed vision correction surgery," they have consistently answered Pepose Vision Institute, earning us recognition year after year in Best Doctors in America and America's Top Docs. - back to top

They understand that medication options to treat glaucoma may not always be patient-friendly?

Typically, the first line treatment of a glaucoma patient is a menu of eye drop medications that must be used everyday sometimes several times a day - for the rest of their life. In some instances, these eye drops can cause intolerable side effects, not to mention their expense! As a result, compliance can be poor, leading to greater vision loss in the future. At Pepose Vision Institute, we recognize that "one treatment doesn't fit all" and that some patients will benefit from having laser treatments at an earlier stage to reduce or eliminate their need for eye medications. - back to top

They do more than glaucoma?

PVI does more than glaucoma diagnosis and management. We evaluate whether your vision problem is actually due to glaucoma or to another vision-compromising condition. If there is a problem, we have the know-how to treat it, and will rarely inconvenience you by referring you to another doctor in another office. Our goal is to preserve and protect your functional vision, no matter what the threat. - back to top

They can offer you a "cold" laser treatment if medically indicated?

Some glaucoma doctors have been trained only in using an argon laser to reduce eye pressure in glaucoma patients. The surgeons as Pepose Vision Institute are well versed in this "hot" laser as well as the newest "cold" laser, which can reduce eye pressure without collateral damage to your eye tissue. Cold laser treatment is a comfortable, painless in-office procedure, with no side effects. Because this treatment can be repeated multiple times during a glaucoma patient's life, we are not afraid to use it early in the development of glaucoma, when medically appropriate. At PVI, laser management of glaucoma is not a "last resort." In fact, research has shown that the cold laser procedure may have its greatest long-term effect in patients who have not had a long history of eye drop use to control their eye pressure. - back to top

They will be directly involved in your eye exam and your treatment planning?

Some eye care providers treat glaucoma as an everyday occurrence. We treat it as it should be: a serious threat to your functional vision that requires vigilant oversight and management. Our eye surgeons are integrally involved in your eye exam, diagnostic testing, and treatment planning. Which, frankly, are essential parts of managing glaucoma. Your glaucoma exam is extensive we use a variety of diagnostic tests to confirm the presence and extent of your glaucoma, and to measure any loss in vision that has already occurred. No two glaucoma patients are treated exactly the same way, because each patient has their own unique eye anatomy, tolerance of medications and risk factors that impact progression of the disease. - back to top

They are available to you, even after office hours?

Ever try to reach your M.D. after office hours? You want the peace of mind from knowing you can reach your doctor if you have questions or concerns, especially after surgery. At PVI, our doctors are on-call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to patients' concerns. You will never hear "hang up and call 911 for an emergency." - back to top

They are committed to your vision for a lifetime?

At Pepose Vision Institute, once you have been diagnosed with glaucoma you become part of the PVI family. We will follow you carefully, and adjust your treatment plan as needed. If you have risk factors for the disease but currently exhibit normal eye pressure, we will monitor your eyes closely to ensure the very earliest detection should glaucoma present itself. Our glaucoma patients understand that we will do everything necessary to protect their functional vision for a lifetime. - back to top