Glaucoma Treatment in Houston

Glaucoma Treatment

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. Memorial Eye Center - Westchase 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.

Getting routine eye exams is crucial, as they can check for any eye diseases that may be lurking under the surface to prevent any problems from arising by catching them early on.

At Memorial Eye Center - Westchase, 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 Houston


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 Memorial Eye Center - Westchase in Houston 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

Our optometry practice in Houston

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Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 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 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • MetLife
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Aetna
  • 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 IOT 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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373 Reviews
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- Mar. 10, 2023
I found that all of the employees at Memorial Eye Center were very friendly and very professional. ... They were very concerned about my well-being and I appreciated their assistance with my eyewear issues.
- Mar. 03, 2023
friendly knowledgeable staff - took me in promptly for an emergency
- Feb. 14, 2023
Great service
- Feb. 02, 2023
Friendly and professional staff. My first time using this office and I felt very welcomed. Things we... re explained to me during the process. Great selection of frames. They worked with me to pick the best fit, look for me.
- Jan. 27, 2023
Very professional, very friendly, great service.
- Jan. 25, 2023
The doctors use the newest technology to examine my eyes and helped me choose frames. The only sugge... stion I have is to explain to customers that the frameless glasses, while they are extremely flatteringl, they are fragile, so take extra care.I hope the mfg will come up with a stronger solution bc i cn be clumsy at times. thnk you.
- Jan. 18, 2023
It was a wonderful experience, the staff was very knowledgeable and professional.
- Dec. 14, 2022
Everyone was very professional, easy to work with, pleasant and prompted. Thank Memorial Eye Center... .
- Dec. 09, 2022
Fast, efficient. No long waits in the exam rooms.
- Nov. 23, 2022
Very helpful
- Nov. 10, 2022
Had to wait a little while but everyone was so nice I was totally fine with it. They did great with ... my kiddo getting his first eye exam.
- Nov. 02, 2022
Love my new glasses and sunglasses!! Received awesome service from the team and Dr. Holbrook (she's ... the absolute best in the business in my opinion). I would definitely recommend the doc, staff and location to everyone.
- Sep. 15, 2022
Great staff and the Doctor is excellent, I went there thru Zocdoc for a general eye exam, not to get... new lens prescription, the staff assumed I was there for lens prescription, I had to remind the Doctor assistant once inside that I was there for some non lens related things, they were able to adjust and I was quite amazed with how much time the Doctor spent with me patiently listening and advising, while quite a distance from where I live, I’ll go back and recommend to my family and friends.
- Aug. 26, 2022
great staff and great service
- Aug. 23, 2022
They are very kind people.
- Aug. 16, 2022
Professional and knowledgeable staff.
- Aug. 07, 2022
The whole staff at this location is OUTSTANDING! 🌟
- Jul. 25, 2022
Great service from friendly, knowledgeable people. I've been a customer here for a decade and highly... recommend this location.
- Jul. 02, 2022
Great experience. Prescription adjustment feels much better and closer to what it probably should’... ve been previously. The doctor wasn’t pushy with upselling that I’ve encountered in the the past. Thank you!
- Jul. 02, 2022
Very informative...Very friendly

View All 373 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 as 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