Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment
According to the World Health Organization, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world today. In the United States alone, this disease affects approximately 2.2 million people, but only half actually know they have this condition.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name for several eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve, which acts as a messenger for information between the eye and the brain, is in the back of the eye. When the nerve is damaged, a loss of vision is likely to occur.
Initially, people with glaucoma will lose their peripheral (side) vision. If the disease remains untreated, vision loss will likely get worse. This can lead to total blindness over time.
Glaucoma Symptoms
Glaucoma often presents with no symptoms to warn you. Many doctors, due to this lack of physical symptoms, have called it “the silent thief of sight.” Therefore, detecting and treating the disease early is important to prevent blindness.
When left untreated, progressive vision loss will occur. Here are the typical stages of vision loss:
- Blind spots in your peripheral vision
- Tunnel vision
- Total blindness
Glaucoma Risk Factors
- Age: You’re at higher risk if you’re older than 40.
- Ethnic Background: Certain ethnicities, such as African-Americans, are at risk of developing the disease at a younger age and are more likely to experience permanent blindness as a result.
- Family History: Glaucoma may have a genetic link; therefore, if you have a family history, you are at a greater risk of developing the condition.
- Medical Conditions: Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and hypothyroidism are several conditions that may increase the risk of developing this disease.
- Other Eye Conditions: Eye tumors, eye inflammation, lens dislocation and retinal detachment could increase the risk of glaucoma. Certain types of eye surgery and being nearsighted or farsighted may also increase your risk.
- Injury: Increased eye pressure is sometimes a result of severe eye injuries; therefore, trauma can increase the risk of developing this disease.
- Long-term Corticosteroid Use: Corticosteroid medications (e.g. some eye drops) over a long period of time may increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
Protecting Your Vision With the Most Advanced Glaucoma Care in Michiana
At Boling Vision Center, your vision is our purpose. For more than 65 years, our doctors have led the region in advanced glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, serving guests in Elkhart, Goshen, Notre Dame, and South Bend. Glaucoma cannot restore vision already lost — but the right treatment can stop or slow its progression and protect the sight you have.
Our goal is simple: Lower eye pressure. Protect the optic nerve. Preserve your vision.
Every treatment plan is customized to the guest, based on their stage of glaucoma, lifestyle, and overall health.
Treatment Options for Glaucoma
1. Medication-Based Treatments
Medication to Manage Treatment
- Prescription Eye Drops – Reduce the amount of fluid the eye produces or help it drain better.
- Diamox® – Oral medication used in certain cases to rapidly decrease eye pressure.
While drops are often the starting point, they may not be recommended for guests with lung or heart conditions. Your Boling Vision Center doctor will guide you to the safest choice.
Procedural Pharmaceuticals (long-term pressure control through medication delivered inside the eye)
- iDose® … Long-term glaucoma medication — without daily drops. iDose® is a tiny implant placed inside the eye that slowly releases glaucoma medication over time. It provides continuous pressure control and may significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for daily drops. Ideal for patients who struggle with drop adherence or are combining treatment with cataract surgery. Learn more here: Click here.
- Durysta® … Drop-free pressure control — dissolves on its own. Durysta® delivers a proven glaucoma medication directly into the eye through a small, dissolvable implant. It provides consistent pressure reduction without preservatives, making it a great option for patients who are sensitive to drops or want fewer medications.
2. Laser Glaucoma Treatments
Laser therapy improves the natural drainage of fluid to reduce pressure without incisions or downtime.
- SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty)
- G6 Laser
These treatments are quick, comfortable, and completed in our office.
3. MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery)
These procedures are designed to lower pressure with less trauma to the eye, and many can be performed during cataract surgery — giving patients two benefits with one procedure.
Tissue-Sparing MIGS Options:
- iStent®
- Bang
- Omni®
- Kahook Dual Blade (KDB)
- iAccess
These devices or techniques gently improve fluid drainage without removing internal eye tissue.
Non–Tissue Sparing MIGS Option:
- Xen® Gel Stent* (for more advanced disease or when additional pressure control is needed)
4. Filtering & Traditional Glaucoma Surgery
For advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma, traditional surgery creates a new drainage pathway to lower pressure:
- Trabeculectomy (Trabs)
- Glaucoma Drainage Tubes
These remain highly effective for patients needing significant pressure reduction and long-term control.
Why Choose Boling Vision Center for Glaucoma Care?
- State-of-the-art diagnostic technology
- Trained glaucoma and cataract surgeons
- Multiple minimally invasive treatment options
- Four convenient locations across Michiana
- A compassionate, guest-first experience — every time
No two eyes are the same, and no two glaucoma treatment plans should be either. Our ophthalmologists partner with you to protect your sight and preserve your independence — so you can keep doing what you love.
Schedule An Eye Exam Today
Don’t wait until you have vision problems! Schedule your appointment online today or call 800-283-8393
