Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. Left untreated, it can eventually lead to blindness.
Without routine eye exams, you may be losing your vision to glaucoma without realizing it.
Our board-certified eye doctors in Hobart and Merrillville, IN, recognize the signs of vision loss and can help you retain your eyesight.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that involve damage to the optic nerve. In most cases, excess aqueous humor fluid builds up inside the eye, leading to high eye pressure that damages the optic nerve. Normally the liquid filters out of the eye through a drainage channel, but glaucoma stops this from happening.
Often, our Merrillville-area patients have no idea at all that they have glaucoma while it is in its earliest stages, because it typically begins asymptomatically. Luckily, we can work with you to diagnose your disease and manage your condition.
We're Here to Help Patients With Different Types of Glaucoma
Open-Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma causes pressure in the inner eye to increase because the aqueous humor is not able to drain out of the eye. Though open-angle glaucoma is caused by dysfunctional drainage canals, patients often experience no initial symptoms. Left untreated, this form of glaucoma can cause a gradual loss of vision that can to lead blindness.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
This type of glaucoma is less common and develops quickly. Angle-closure glaucoma happens when the iris changes shape and completely blocks the drainage channel. Patients who experience sudden symptoms like eye pain, haloes, and light sensitivity may have angle-closure glaucoma.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Normal-tension glaucoma damages the optic nerve without an increase in eye pressure, unlike open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Doctors are unsure what causes the optic nerve damage. Patients are generally unaware they have normal-tension glaucoma until they lose their peripheral vision.
We Partner With You to Prevent Glaucoma-Related Sight Loss
Because glaucoma often presents without symptoms, the majority of our Merrillville glaucoma patients typically haven't noticed any eyesight changes at all yet when they receive a diagnosis. However, you don't have to be alarmed — you just need to be proactive. Our compassionate ophthalmologists and optometrists will partner with you to tailor treatment to your specific needs. It all begins with regular vision tests.
Why? Patients who undergo routine eye exams have symptoms of eye disease recognized early. This allows our doctors to treat an abnormal condition in the eye before it leads to significant vision loss or blindness. Even if you have lost vision, care from our team can properly manage your condition and minimize further sight changes.
Behind on Your Eye Disease Screenings? Contact Our Medical Offices in Hobart and Merrillville, Indiana
Our practice is committed to providing professional, fast, and reliable eye care services. Our board-certified ophthalmologists, Dr. David Gross and Dr. Jeffrey Nelson, and our board-certified optometrist Dr. Jamie Taffora, all strive to offer you the best eye care in Indiana. They can conduct visual field testing to see if you have glaucoma. Because it begins asymptomatically, routine eye care visits are the best defense again vision loss.
If you are behind on your regular eye exams and eye disease screenings, our ophthalmology offices in Merrillville and Hobart, IN, can get you back on track. Contact our offices to begin or call:
Our Entire Team Is Proud to Put Patients First
"I had to get surgery on both of my eyes, and I'm amazed at how good I can see. I was very nervous about the surgery and
Dr. Gross and his staff were so kind and concerned. I had the best experience I could have imagined." Barb Grogans
Paying for Treatment
/
Glaucoma treatments are generally covered by medical insurance. We accept numerous health care insurances. Our staff will review your insurance coverage to ensure it covers as much of your glaucoma treatment as possible. We also accept cash, card, and flexible financing through CareCredit® for qualifying patients.
“Trusted for 20 years.” Top Ratings of Our Hobart and Merrillville, IN, Offices
Jill Davids
Merrillville, IN
2024
Dr Gross is a talented doctor and surgeon. I’ve trusted his care for 20 years.
View on GoogleSamantha Chandler
Merrillville, IN
2023
Dr. Gross is an excellent Dr. And cares about each of his patients. Staff is really good too.
View on GoogleOur Non-Surgical Glaucoma Treatments
Our Hobart and Merrillville, IN, ophthalmology team has treated glaucoma patients for over 30 years. They will team up with you to personalize your glaucoma treatment plan based on the severity of your eye health. Non-surgical treatments for glaucoma include:
Eye Drops
We typically begin treating glaucoma using simple eye drops. This trusted treatment reduces the creation of aqueous, alleviating internal pressure on your optic nerve. Eye drops can also increase drainage, which will help you maintain healthy eye pressure.
Medication
Prescription medication can help reduce intraocular pressure, preventing nerve damage. Eye drops and medication cannot restore vision loss or cure glaucoma, but they will prevent you from losing more eyesight.
DURYSTA
We can directly treat high intraocular pressure with FDA-approved DURYSTA® ocular implants. Our ophthalmologists can safely inject these incredibly small, dissolvable implants into your eye. Once in place, they will immediately (and conveniently) administer medicine that reduces high pressure for those with open angle glaucoma.
Exploring Laser and Surgical Treatments Available for Merrillville, IN, Glaucoma Patients
Our board-certified optometrists and ophthalmologists always begin with simpler treatments like eye drops before moving on to more involved care. Unlike practices who strictly offer optometry, our ophthalmologists can conduct laser and surgical procedures like:
Laser Treatment
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a safe and simple laser treatment that significantly reduces the intraocular pressure in a patient's eye by improving the function of the drainage tissue. SLT takes less than 10 minutes to perform, saving you time and negating the need to buy expensive medication to manage glaucoma.
MIGS
Another effective option our ophthalmologists can provide for Merrillville and Hobart glaucoma patients is MIGS, which stands for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. There are multiple types of MIGS: some help fluid from inside the eye to drain better, and others lower the amount of fluid that is produced.
Filtration Surgery
Lastly, we offer trabeculectomy, or filtration surgery. We generally use it when there is a high chance that a patient's eye pressure will cause blindness, and all other solutions have been ineffective; we may also use it for fast moving angle-closure glaucoma. This surgery creates a new avenue in the white of your eye for aqueous to drain through.
Reducing the Risk Factors of Glaucoma
Our optometrists and ophthalmolgists will conduct your treatment, like eye drops or DURYSTA. They can also show you how to minimize the risk factors and subsequent vision loss of glaucoma on your own, making care a true team effort. We may advise you to:
Keep Regular Eye Exams
Our doctors detect early signs of glaucoma through regular eye exams. We have two locations in Indiana, one in Merrillville and another in Hobart, for your convenience.
Quit Smoking
Smoking can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, and cataracts. These conditions increase the possibility of glaucoma.
Exercise Regularly
Maintaining an active lifestyle will improve your cardiovascular health, which will help you prevent glaucoma.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Keeping your weight and blood pressure balanced is a strong way to prevent glaucoma.
A Thankful Patient Tells Their Story
“The whole experience has been nothing short of exceeding my expectations. Dr. Gross and his staff were straight to the point, very thorough in explaining what to except before, during and after the procedure. Super professional and answers all questions. I appreciated the frequent communication during the actual procedure, it made the procedure seem to fly by… I have no regrets whatsoever.” Molly Cha
FAQ About Glaucoma
If I have glaucoma, won't I notice that I'm losing my vision?
Sadly, no. That's why vision loss from glaucoma can occur so easily. Still, you don't have to be worried, because you're not in this alone. Not only can we diagnose any eye conditions, but we also have a full suite of treatments to address them. All you have to do is show up at our office and let us do the rest.
Is glaucoma reversible?
No — but it is manageable. Our caring eye doctors use treatments like eye drops, MIGS procedures, and medication to help you maintain and enjoy the sight that you do have.
When do you test for glaucoma?
We routinely test for glaucoma during all standard eye exams. That means our Hobart and Merrillville, IN, glaucoma patients can get new vision prescriptions and eye disease screenings all during the same visit.
How does selective laser trabeculoplasty differ from trabeculectomy?
Though the names are similar, they are different treatments. Both help reduce your IOP, but patients with glaucoma may have to undergo SLT on a routine basis. Trabeculectomy, on the other hand, lasts much longer. Finally, SLT uses a laser, while trabeculectomy uses a blade. No matter the method you need, we will keep you entirely calm and comfortable.
