Glaucoma
Santa Clarita | Valencia

Medicare, Medi-Cal & Most Insurance Accepted

At Nova Eye Institute, we offer advanced glaucoma diagnosis & personalized treatment plans, using the latest technology to monitor & protect your vision through medications, laser procedures, or surgery as needed.

What is Glaucoma?

  • Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).
  • It is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preserving vision.

Types of Glaucoma

There are several types of glaucoma, each requiring a tailored approach to diagnosis and treatment:

  • Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
  • Angle-Closure Glaucoma
  • Normal-Tension Glaucoma
  • Secondary Glaucoma
  • Congenital Glaucoma

High-risk individuals who require earlier & more frequent screening:

  • Family history of glaucoma (especially first-degree relatives)
  • African, Hispanic, or Asian descent
  • Elevated intraocular pressure
  • History of eye injury or surgery
  • Use of corticosteroids (especially eye drops)
  • Thin central corneal thickness
  • Diabetes or systemic vascular disease
  • Severe myopia or hyperopia

At-risk populations for angle closure glaucoma:

Screening is most valuable in individuals with the following risk factors:

  • Age > 40, especially > 50
  • Female sex
  • East Asian or Inuit ancestry
  • Hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • Family history of angle-closure glaucoma
  • Shallow anterior chamber on slit lamp exam
  • Previous angle-closure attack in the fellow eye

Defining Severity of Glaucoma

Mild Glaucoma
Moderate Glaucoma
Severe Glaucoma
  • Glaucoma is categorized to mild, moderate and severe.
  • Severity is typically categorized based on a combination of visual field testing, optic nerve imaging, and IOP levels.
  • These stages guide treatment decisions and follow-up intensity.

Glaucoma Treatments

At our practice, we offer a full spectrum of treatment options individualized to each patient’s type and severity of glaucoma.

Medications

Most glaucoma treatments begin with eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure. These medications work based on increase outflow and/or decrease fluid production:

  • Prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost, bimatoprost)
  • Beta-blockers (e.g., timolol)
  • Alpha agonists (e.g., brimonidine)
  • Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., dorzolamide)
  • Rho kinase inhibitors (e.g., netarsudil)
  • Combination drops are available for more effective control with fewer bottles.

Laser & Surgical Treatments

Laser therapy may be used alone or in combination with medications:

  • Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)
  • Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
  • Cyclophotocoagulation (CPC)

Surgery may be necessary when medications and laser fail to control pressure:

  • Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
  • Trabeculectomy
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants (e.g., Ahmed, Baerveldt)
  • Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP)

Our Approach

We provide personalized glaucoma care using the latest diagnostic tools and treatments. Whether you are newly diagnosed or seeking second opinions, our glaucoma specialist tailors management plans based on disease severity, lifestyle, and ocular health. Our team stays at the forefront of innovation to offer the safest and most effective solutions.

Schedule a Glaucoma Consultation

If you have vision difficulties or have been diagnosed with glaucoma, contact Nova Eye Institute today. We proudly serve Santa Clarita, Valencia, and the surrounding areas. 

📞 Call us Today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward maintaining your vision health.

Name
Consent