Southwest Eye Institute provides glaucoma testing, monitoring, and treatment in El Paso and Las Cruces, including eye pressure evaluation, optic nerve imaging, SLT laser treatment, MIGS, and iDose TR when appropriate.
Glaucoma is a disease defined as optic nerve damage. The primary cause of this nerve damage is elevated pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure). Damage to the optic nerve can lead to progressive sight loss throughout a patient’s life.
Glaucoma develops when fluid builds up in the front of the eye, increasing intraocular pressure (eye pressure) and gradually damaging the optic nerve. Most people don’t notice vision changes until the disease has progressed to its later stages. By that point, vision loss can’t be reversed because optic nerve damage is permanent. Regular eye exams play a key role in detecting glaucoma early—before significant vision loss occurs. When diagnosed early, treatment can often slow or even prevent further vision loss.
Most people do not experience any symptoms until vision loss has started to occur. It’s essential to undergo annual comprehensive eye exams to detect glaucoma early, which can help protect your vision from permanent loss.
Watch for these common symptoms:
Gradual narrowing or loss of peripheral vision
Blurry or hazy vision
Halos or glare around lights, especially at night
Eye pain, redness, or headaches
Sudden changes in vision (in acute cases)
Glaucoma isn’t just one disease; it includes several types that damage the optic nerve in different ways. The two main categories are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Still, other forms can also affect patients depending on eye pressure, age, health history, injury, or other eye conditions.
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It develops gradually when the eye’s drainage system does not function as well as it should, leading to increased pressure over time.
Angle-closure glaucoma, also known as narrow-angle glaucoma, occurs when the drainage angle in the eye is blocked. This blockage can lead to a rapid or gradual increase in eye pressure, depending on the type. Sudden angle-closure glaucoma can result in intense eye pain, redness, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, and halos around lights. It should be treated as a medical emergency.
Normal-tension glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged even though eye pressure remains within a normal range. This may occur because the optic nerve is more sensitive or because blood flow to the nerve is reduced.
Secondary glaucoma develops because of another eye condition, injury, surgery, inflammation, or certain medications, including long-term steroid use. Treatment often focuses on managing the underlying cause while also lowering eye pressure to help protect the optic nerve and preserve vision.
Congenital glaucoma is a rare form of glaucoma that is present at birth or develops during infancy because the eye’s drainage system did not form normally. Signs may include cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, or eyes that appear larger than usual. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for preventing long-term vision damage.
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It develops gradually when the eye’s drainage system does not function as well as it should, leading to increased pressure over time.
Angle-closure glaucoma, also known as narrow-angle glaucoma, occurs when the drainage angle in the eye is blocked. This blockage can lead to a rapid or gradual increase in eye pressure, depending on the type. Sudden angle-closure glaucoma can result in intense eye pain, redness, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, and halos around lights. It should be treated as a medical emergency.
Normal-tension glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged even though eye pressure remains within a normal range. This may occur because the optic nerve is more sensitive or because blood flow to the nerve is reduced.
Secondary glaucoma develops because of another eye condition, injury, surgery, inflammation, or certain medications, including long-term steroid use. Treatment often focuses on managing the underlying cause while also lowering eye pressure to help protect the optic nerve and preserve vision.
Congenital glaucoma is a rare form of glaucoma that is present at birth or develops during infancy because the eye’s drainage system did not form normally. Signs may include cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, or eyes that appear larger than usual. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for preventing long-term vision damage.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a gentle laser therapy we perform right in the office to treat open-angle glaucoma. This quick, painless procedure usually takes only about five minutes and requires no incision.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) refers to a collection of modern surgical techniques designed to lower eye pressure with microsurgery. MIGS procedures utilize microscopic instruments and small incisions to facilitate the drainage of fluid from the eye more easily.
The iDose implant is a new, state-of-the-art treatment that offers long-lasting glaucoma control without the daily hassle of eye drops. Think of iDose as a tiny time-release medication pump placed inside the eye.
Many people do not notice early signs of open-angle glaucoma. When symptoms appear, they may include gradual side vision loss, blurry or hazy vision, halos or glare around lights, eye pain, redness, headaches, or sudden vision changes in acute cases. A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to catch glaucoma before permanent vision loss occurs.
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but treatment can often slow or stop further damage when it starts early. The goal is to lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve with monitoring, prescription drops, laser treatment, MIGS, iDose® TR, or surgery when appropriate.
No. Vision loss from glaucoma usually cannot be reversed because optic nerve damage is permanent. Treatment focuses on preventing additional vision loss and protecting the vision you still have.
Many adults benefit from annual comprehensive eye exams. You may need more frequent glaucoma checks if you have high eye pressure, a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, African American or Hispanic heritage, past eye injury, long-term steroid use, or an existing glaucoma diagnosis.
Average eye pressure often falls between 10 and 21 mmHg, but a safe pressure varies from person to person. Your doctor will look at your eye pressure, optic nerve, corneal thickness, visual field, OCT imaging, and risk factors before recommending treatment.
Glaucoma can run in families. Having a parent, sibling, or other close relative with glaucoma can raise your risk, so regular eye exams are important even if your vision seems normal.
People may have a higher risk for glaucoma if they have high eye pressure, a family history of glaucoma, African American or Hispanic heritage, diabetes, high myopia, past eye injury or surgery, long-term steroid use, or older age.
Your eye doctor may measure your eye pressure, dilate your eyes to examine the optic nerve, take optic nerve imaging, check your peripheral vision with a visual field test, measure corneal thickness, and evaluate the drainage angle when needed.
No. Many patients manage glaucoma with eye drops, laser treatment, or close monitoring. Surgery, including MIGS, may be recommended when pressure is not controlled well enough or when a patient is already having cataract surgery and may benefit from combined treatment.
Yes, some patients may be candidates for non-drop options such as SLT laser treatment, MIGS, iDose® TR, or other procedures. Your glaucoma specialist will recommend a plan based on your eye pressure, optic nerve health, diagnosis, treatment history, and medication tolerance.
Glaucoma can progress without noticeable symptoms and steal your vision. If you have high eye pressure, have a family history of glaucoma, or are due for an eye exam, schedule a glaucoma evaluation with Southwest Eye Institute.
4171 North Mesa Street
Building D, Suite 100
El Paso, TX 79902
9235 Dyer Street
El Paso, TX 79924
1400 Common Drive
El Paso, TX 79936
Optometric Glaucoma Specialist / Comprehensive Eye Care & Ocular Disease Expert
