Glaucoma Management in Chicago, IL
Chicago Eye Doctors Treating Glaucoma
Big City Optical diagnoses, monitors, and manages glaucoma with comprehensive eye exams, ongoing testing, and individualized care. Because glaucoma can damage the optic nerve without noticeable symptoms, regular monitoring helps your optometrist spot changes and decide when you need treatment or specialist care.
What Is Glaucoma?
Many forms of glaucoma develop gradually, and early on it may not cause noticeable symptoms. That is why glaucoma testing is an important part of ongoing eye care for people with known glaucoma or an increased risk of developing it.
Eye pressure is an important part of a glaucoma evaluation, but pressure alone does not determine whether someone has glaucoma. Our eye doctors evaluate optic nerve health and look for changes in your vision.
How Does Big City Optical Diagnose Glaucoma?
Glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring rely on several pieces of information rather than one test. Your Chicago eye doctor reviews your eye health, medical history, risk factors, and previous results before choosing the right tests.
- Eye pressure measurement, or tonometry
- Optical coherence tomography, or OCT
- Visual field testing
- Dilated optic nerve examination
- Retinal or optic nerve photography
- Corneal thickness measurement, or pachymetry
- Gonioscopy to examine the eye’s drainage angle
- AI-assisted OCT analysis, if applicable to glaucoma visits
These tests measure different aspects of glaucoma risk and progression. When repeated over time, they can also help our optometrist determine whether the optic nerve or visual field is changing.
Who Is at Higher Risk for Glaucoma?
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but some people have a higher risk. Your eye doctor may recommend closer monitoring if you have factors such as:
- A family history of glaucoma
- Higher-than-normal eye pressure
- Increasing age
- Certain medical conditions, including diabetes
- Previous eye injuries or surgery
- Findings that make the optic nerve suspicious for glaucoma
Having a risk factor does not mean you have glaucoma. A comprehensive eye exam and appropriate testing are needed to evaluate your individual eye health.
Glaucoma Treatments at
Big City Optical?
- Glaucoma Treatments at Big City Optical
- Prescription pressure-lowering eye drops
- Medication monitoring and adjustments
- Ongoing OCT and visual field monitoring
- Laser treatment or laser co-management
- Surgical glaucoma co-management
- Referral to a glaucoma specialist or ophthalmologist
Your treatment plan may change as your eyes change. Follow-up testing lets your doctor compare results over time and determine whether the current approach adequately controls the condition.
When Do We Refer to a Glaucoma Specialist?
Big City Optical can diagnose and monitor glaucoma and provide glaucoma care within the treating optometrist’s scope.
A referral to an ophthalmologist or glaucoma specialist may be appropriate when glaucoma is advanced or progressing, eye pressure is not adequately controlled, additional procedures or surgery are being considered, or your eye doctor believes specialist evaluation is needed.
How Is Glaucoma Managed?
At Big City Optical, we base your management plan on your diagnosis, eye pressure, optic nerve findings, visual field results, previous testing, and how the condition changes over time.
Glaucoma Care Across Chicago
With Big City Optical locations throughout Chicago and the surrounding area, patients can access ongoing eye disease monitoring close to home.
If you have glaucoma, have been told you are a glaucoma suspect, or have risk factors such as a family history or elevated eye pressure, schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor can assess your eye health and determine whether additional glaucoma testing or monitoring is appropriate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Straightforward answers to the questions patients ask most about glaucoma.
Your eye doctor can speak to your specific needs at your visit.
Straightforward answers to the questions patients ask most about glaucoma.
Your eye doctor can speak to your specific needs at your visit.
Still have a question?
Our team at any of our neighborhood offices can walk you through it, or you can book a visit and ask your eye doctor directly.
What tests do you use to check for glaucoma?
Who is at higher risk of developing glaucoma?
Can glaucoma be detected before I notice vision loss?
Can optometrists prescribe glaucoma eye drops?
How often will I need glaucoma monitoring visits?
When would I be referred to a glaucoma specialist?
Can vision lost to glaucoma be restored?
Does medical insurance cover glaucoma testing?
Still have a question?
Our team at any of our neighborhood offices can walk you through it, or you can book a visit and ask your eye doctor directly.