Glaucoma Treatment in Kerrville

Glaucoma Treatment in Kerrville

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(830) 896-2600

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.

It's caused by fluid build-up and increased pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve that progressively worsens your vision. This disease can cause severe, irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

In many cases, appropriate control and treatment can help prevent further damage to the eyes and protect your vision. Hill Country Vision Center - Kerrville offers several treatments to help address glaucoma. Learn more about the treatments we provide and contact us to schedule an appointment.

Glaucoma diagnosis


The 2 Main Types of Glaucoma

grandfather wearing glasses holding his granddaughter

  • Open-angle glaucoma: the most common type. It is a lifelong condition that accounts for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma: a rare form of the disease which requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when the angle is closed in many or most areas between the iris and cornea, which reduces fluid drainage and increases eye pressure.

Glaucoma: The Sneaky Thief of Sight

There is a reason glaucoma is called “the sneaky thief of sight”--half the people with glaucoma don’t even know they have it! Meaning, they may not have symptoms in the early stages.

At Hill Country Vision Center - Kerrville, we diagnose and help preserve your vision with cutting-edge glaucoma treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

If you have a family history of glaucoma or have been diagnosed with glaucoma, contact us today.

optometrist in Kerrville


What are the Signs of Glaucoma?

glaucoma signs

As mentioned earlier, glaucoma usually shows no symptoms in its early stages. When signs do manifest, it's usually loss of tunnel vision or peripheral vision. Unfortunately, by the time vision loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed.

That said, the less common angle-closure glaucoma does show a sudden onset of symptoms, including:

  • Extreme eye pain
  • Eye redness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek prompt diagnosis and treatment by contacting Hill Country Vision Center - Kerrville in Kerrville or visiting your nearest emergency room.


Who's at Risk for Glaucoma?

  • Age 40 +

    The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age, with most glaucoma patients aged 40 and up. That said, there is a much rarer form of this disease (congenital glaucoma) that affects infants.

  • Family History & Ethnicity

    Your risk for developing glaucoma is higher if you have a family history of the disease. Those of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American, and Indigenous Canadian descent have a higher risk of developing this disease.

  • Other Conditions

    High myopia, hypertension and diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

  • Eye Injury or Trauma

    An eye injury, trauma or eye surgery can increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.


Common Glaucoma Treatments

There is currently no cure for glaucoma. However, several treatments are available to prevent the progression of this sight-robbing condition. With the right care, you have a higher chance of managing your glaucoma and preserving your vision.

Common treatments include:

Eye Drops

Your optometrist will prescribe eye drops to help regulate pressure inside the eye by decreasing fluid production and/or improving drainage.

Laser Surgery

If eye drops aren’t doing enough to reduce intraocular pressure or intraocular temperature in open-angle glaucoma, laser surgery may be an option. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) opens up the drainage system in the eye to reduce pressure.

SLT is successful in 80% of cases and can reduce eye pressure by 20%.

Other Surgeries

If a laser procedure or eye drops do not lower eye pressure to the desired level, your eye doctor may recommend one of the following surgeries:

  • Incision Surgery
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants

Glaucoma Testing Treatment FAQs

How does an eye doctor diagnose glaucoma?

Since glaucoma has no side effects early on, it is essential for people with a family history of risk factors for glaucoma to get tested. The following tests diagnose glaucoma:

  • Tonometry: measures the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP)
  • Ophthalmoscopy (dilated eye exam): examines the shape and color of the optic nerve
  • Perimetry: measures your field of vision
  • Gonioscopy: checks the angle where the iris meets the cornea
  • Pachymetry: determines the thickness of the cornea to better evaluate eye pressure.
What foods should you avoid if you have glaucoma?

The following are the foods every glaucoma patient should consider avoiding immediately. It should help keep your optic nerve healthy and minimize eye pressure.

  • Caffeine - certain studies show that caffeine contributes to increased intraocular pressure.
  • Saturated fats - a diet high in saturated fats can lead to weight gain, which not only increases intraocular pressure but also cholesterol levels.
  • Trans fats - try to limit your consumption of trans fats because they can also raise cholesterol levels
  • Salt - make sure to consume salt sparingly, as increased blood pressure can indirectly lead to intraocular pressure.
What percentage of glaucoma patients go blind?

About 60% of patients diagnosed with glaucoma will eventually lose some vision.

However, the rate of legal blindness among glaucoma patients is 5%. Getting effective treatment early on will greatly increase your ability to preserve and maximize your vision.

Patient Reviews
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306 Reviews
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- Nov. 07, 2024
Great service and I received my new glasses quickly. Everyone I encountered was professional. Took ... my insurance as well.
- Nov. 05, 2024
They were very professional and they were very good. Help me out when I didn’t know how to spell m... y medication would recommend to anybody.
- Oct. 16, 2024
Very professional staff, friendly and informative. They kept me informed of every step. I am extrem... ely pleased with the service and my new glasses.
- Sep. 15, 2024
We had an emergency and they found us an appointment for that day. We really like Dr. Evans and the ... staff was great. We're staying.
- Sep. 14, 2024
The friendliness of the staff as soon as I walked in the door was incredible. They gave me a same d... ay appointment, as I had an eye infection, even though I was not an existing patient. The cost was very reasonable, especially considering it was a same day appt.
- Sep. 11, 2024
Fast, friendly and courteous. A fine establishment.
- Sep. 05, 2024
Dr. Pam Evans and her staff are wonderfully kind and competent. I have a great experience every time... I come up there and they are able to figure out my insurance benefits better than I can.
- Aug. 31, 2024
Very efficient and professional.
- Aug. 29, 2024
The whole team is outstanding
- Aug. 20, 2024
Optimist are very helpful and knowledgeable
- Aug. 17, 2024
Efficient, thorough and friendly! They have the latest machines for an excellent eye exam. All of ... the staff is supportive.
- Aug. 04, 2024
Everyone there was very helpful and my new contacts have not bothered me at all. Thank you Dr. Pamel... a Evans and all the staff at Hill Country Vision Center.. I will be returning anytime I am due to have my vision checked. I still need to return for a pair of eye glasses I picked out.. Thank you all so much.. God Bless You all for all you do for your patients. 🙂
- Jul. 30, 2024
My husband had an urgent issue with his eye and was in a lot of pain. We were desperate to be seen a... nd tried calling multiple places before we called this one and Jill said they could work us in that same morning. We were so grateful and were impressed by how quickly we were seen after arriving. They treated my husband and he was all healed up just a couple days later.
- Jun. 19, 2024
Very friendly knowledgeable staff.
- Jun. 19, 2024
Great people! Wonderful care and I love that I have them as my eye care professionals !!! 10 ☆'s f... or Hill Country Vision Center!
- Jun. 14, 2024
We received good quality care by the doctor and staff at Hill Country. Our lens quality is very good... for our new glasses. Purchased 5 new pairs. Received quickly, good quality
- May. 27, 2024
Very nice and professional and friendly
- May. 15, 2024
In and out, no fuss. Great customer service, very knowledgeable doctor who assisted in getting a gre... at prescription. Would recommend to any friend or family member!
- May. 12, 2024
Hill Country Vision Center gave me great service, pricing, and expertise. I highly recommend them!
- Apr. 10, 2024
Very nice and professional.

View All 306 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Kerrville

Our optometry practice in Kerrville

Photograph of Monica  Allison
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(830) 896-2600