Glaucoma Treatment in Gaithersburg

Glaucoma Treatment in Gaithersburg

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

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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. Montgomery Village Eye Center 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.

Preserve Your Vision For Longer

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 Montgomery Village Eye Center, 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 Gaithersburg


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 Montgomery Village Eye Center in Gaithersburg 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.


Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Gaithersburg

Our optometry practice in Gaithersburg

Photograph of Gabriela  Miller
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

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
Patient Reviews
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32 Reviews
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- Dec. 18, 2023
Carlos is a fantastic employee who is very efficient at his job. He is flexible and accommodating of... all ones needs as well as being kind, welcoming, and courteous.
- Oct. 11, 2023
I am writing this too praise the care, kindness and professionalism I received today from Samala Kha... n, Stephanie, Izzy and Augusto! Absolutely the best experience ever at any medical appointment! I was so comfortable and relieved after having neglected my eyes for over eleven years! No need for that, just make an appointment and for sure you will be one hundred percent satisfied!
- Jun. 02, 2023
Staff was all very friendly and my appointment was quick. And a huge shout-out to STEPHANIE FIGUEROA... ! She helped me pick out my frames and was nothing short of perfection and professional. I will be HIGHLY recommending her and the rest of the staff!!
- Apr. 28, 2023
Great staff, great doctors! I have been a customer of Montgomery Village eye center for ages and eac... h time I go I leave happy and satisfied with the services my family has received. They feel like old friends and it’s always great to catch up!
- Dec. 12, 2022
First time patient and I had great experience on my visit. Staff was very knowledgeable and explaine... d everything in detail. Visit was for contacts fitting and annual exam.
- Oct. 23, 2022
I have seen many eye doctors in my life and never had the right prescriptions for my glasses. My rig... ht eye has different sight than my left. Dr Miller took her time checked my eyes and for the first time in my life I can see clearly. I am so glad to found this eye doctor. Last but not least, the workers from the front desk to the techs were very helpful and caring. It was my first time to come to this eye clinic I got lost and was late for my appointment after driving for 40 miles to get to their office. I was worried I will not be seen and will not have my eye exam. I called in a panic to ask them their location not only they guide me to their direction, I was able to see the doctor. As anyone can witness, it is rare to find people who are caring. These group of people are very unique. Thank you for being human.
- Apr. 29, 2022
Upon retirement my husband and I decided to try a new eye care facility closer to our current locati... on. After trying 3 other doctors, we are driving 2 hours, one way, to be able to get the fantastic service from Dr. Rubin and Dr. Miller. It's more than worth it.
- Feb. 10, 2021
Dr Miller is so wonderful and the staff there are absolute stars. Everyone is professional and super... friendly. I highly recommend.
- Mar. 13, 2019
Great staff, doctor was very thorough during examination. I will never go anywhere else!
- Nov. 30, 2018
I didnt have an appointment and thought I would stop in to inquire about my warrenty. Nicole helped ... me replace my frame under warrenty in minutes! Nice people and quick service.
- May. 18, 2018
This is one of the best in montgomery village!!very friendly!
- Oct. 17, 2016
Great doctor with a great office!
- Aug. 18, 2016
Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. I broke my glasses before a vacation and Susan went out of the... way to get me a new pair in record time. Very impressed. Dr. Miller is very professional and is very thorough with the eye exams.
- Jul. 29, 2016
Great service, clean attractive office and knowledgeable and pleasant staff. Always a good experien... ce!
- Jul. 26, 2016
I was a patient of Dr. Miller when I lived in Gaithersburg, MD a long time ago. However, I moved to ... PG County and have seen 3 different eye clinics but none of them have been able to match up to the level of service or care that Dr. Miller and her staff provide. Which is why after 5 years, I have returned to her office. I'm living in Upper Marlboro MD but Dr. Miller is worth the drive. Plus, she has state-of-the-art equipment!!!
- Feb. 25, 2016
My experience with the Montgomery Village Eye Center was nothing but a great one. All the associates... were very welcoming with broad smiles on their faces. The office spaces were nice and clean and my exam was done in a timely manner. This is a must visit Eye Center for anybody with Optometry needs.
- Dec. 28, 2015
great doctor. Did a very thorough check of my eyes. She does charity work in developing countries a... s well.
- Sep. 01, 2015
I've never been to an eye doctor who could explain, in a succinct understandable manner, more about... how my eyes are behaving than Dr. Gabriella Miller. Other eye doctors had been reluctant to switch me to soft lenses but she was able to put me into lenses that helped my vision immediately and also were more comfortable. Her staff also helped me with glasses that were affordable and attractive. I highly recommend Dr. Miller.

View All 32 Reviews

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.


glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

Schedule Eye Exam