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Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. Left untreated, it can eventually lead to blindness.

Without routine eye exams, you may be losing your vision to glaucoma without realizing it.

The board-certified eye doctors at Deen Gross Eye Centers in Hobart and Merrillville, Indiana, have specialized training to recognize the signs of vision loss and help you retain your eyesight.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a series of eye diseases that involves damage to the optic nerve. In most cases, the excess aqueous humor fluid builds up inside the eye, leading to high eye pressure that damages the optic nerve. Normally the liquid filters out of the eye through a drainage channel, but glaucoma stops this from happening. 

Types of Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma causes pressure in the inner eye to increase because the aqueous humor is not able to drain out of the eye. Though open-angle glaucoma is caused by dysfunctional drainage canals, patients initially often experience no symptoms of it. Left untreated, this form of glaucoma can cause a gradual loss of vision that can to lead blindness. 

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

This type of glaucoma is less common and develops quickly. Angle-closure glaucoma happens when the iris changes shape and completely blocks the drainage channel. 

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Normal-tension glaucoma damages the optic nerve without an increase in eye pressure, unlike open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Doctors are unsure what causes the optic nerve damage. Patients are generally unaware they have normal-tension glaucoma until they lose their peripheral vision.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

  • Eye Pain
  • Blurry Vision
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Vision Loss
  • Halos and Light Sensitivity 

If you are experiencing gradual vision impairment, you may have open-angle glaucoma. Patients who experience sudden symptoms of glaucoma may have angle-closure glaucoma. 

Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Glaucoma? Contact Our Medical Offices in Hobart and Merrillville, Indiana

Deen-Gross Eye Centers is committed to providing professional, fast, and reliable eye care services. Our board-certified ophthalmologists Dr. David Gross and Dr. Jeffrey Nelson, and our board-certified optometrist Dr. Jamie Taffora, all strive to offer you the best eye care in Indiana. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of glaucoma, contact our office in Hobart or Merrillville to request an appointment. Even if you're not experiencing signs of glaucoma, you may still experience high levels of eye pressure or some vision loss. Our eye doctors can conduct visual field testing to see if you have glaucoma. 

Contact our offices online or call:

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"I Highly Recommend Them" Top Ratings of Our Hobart and Merrillville, IN, Offices

1

MiguelR Astorga

2022

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Dr. Gross did my surgery, and I can't even begin to express how happy I am that I went to Deen-Gross eye centers. I had no discomfort post surgery or any issues 6 months later. The staff is always great, and Dr. Gross explains everything well and answers all questions and concerns. I highly recommend them.

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1

Stephanie Scheckel

2021

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Dr. Gross and his team are phenomenal. They truly care about customer satisfaction and are really flexible arranging appointment times that work for your schedule. Dr. Gross did my Lasik procedure very recently, and I couldn't be happier!!! He is very good and I HIGHLY recommend him!

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Glaucoma Risk Factors

  • You are 40 or older
  • Have had an eye injury or eye surgery, like cataract surgery
  • Your family has a history of glaucoma 
  • Have high eye pressure
  • Are farsighted (greater risk for angle-closure glaucoma)
  • Have medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure

Testing for Glaucoma

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Patients who undergo routine eye exams have symptoms of eye disease recognized early, allowing medical doctors to treat an abnormal condition in the eye before it leads to significant vision loss or blindness. Most forms of glaucoma are difficult for patients to recognize because they may not recognize the symptoms. 

Glaucoma Treatment

The doctors at Deen Gross Eye Centers in Hobart and Merrillville, IN, will personalize your glaucoma treatment plan based on the severity of your eye health. Treatments for glaucoma include:
Mature man putting eyedrops into eye

Eye Drops

Eye drop medication reduces the creation of aqueous, alleviating internal pressure. Eye drops can also increase drainage, which will help you maintain healthy eye pressure. 

Medication

Medication

Prescription medication reduces intraocular pressure, preventing nerve damage. Eye drops and medication cannot restore vision loss or cure glaucoma, they will prevent you from losing more eyesight. 

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Lens

Laser Treatment

If your eye conditions don't respond to eye drops or medication, our eye doctors may recommend Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. This safe and simple laser treatment significantly reduces the intraocular pressure in the patient's eye. Laser treatment takes less than 10 minutes to perform, saving you time and negating the need to buy expensive medication to manage glaucoma. Although laser treatments are successful, patients with severe glaucoma may have to undergo laser treatment on a routine basis. 

Mature woman undergoing surgery

Surgery

If laser treatment and medication do not manage your eye pressure, patients can undergo minimally invasive glaucoma surgery to drain fluid from inside the eye and reduce pressure. These corrective surgical procedures help regulate the production of fluid in your eye and can improve drainage. 

Reducing the Risk of Glaucoma

You can prevent glaucoma and losing vision by following these guidelines:

Keep Regular Eye Exams

The doctors at Deen Gross Eye Centers can detect early signs of glaucoma through regular eye exams. We have two locations in Indiana, one in Hobart and another in Merrillville, for your convenience.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, and cataracts. These conditions increase the possibility of glaucoma. 

Exercise Regularly

Maintaining an active lifestyle will improve your cardiovascular health, which will help you prevent glaucoma. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

Keeping your weight and blood pressure balanced is a strong way to prevent glaucoma. 

Paying for Treatment

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Glaucoma treatments are generally covered by medical insurance. Deen Gross Eye Centers accepts numerous health care insurances. Our staff will review your insurance coverage to make sure that it covers as much of your glaucoma treatment as possible. We also offer 0% interest financing through CareCredit® for qualifying patients.

More Top Ratings  For Our Hobart and Merrillville, IN, Offices

1

Nancy Kirk

2017

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Dr Gross was amazing with my 11 year old son who had sustained an eye injury. The office was quick to get him in and made him very comfortable, relieving all his anxiety ( and mom's too) during the exam.

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1

Paul Forsythe

2020

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My right eye was losing a little clarity due to some growth over the lens after the cataract surgery. Dr. Gross did on- the-spot laser surgery today, and I can see like I did when I was a kid.

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Deen-Gross Eye Center team

Deen-Gross Eye Centers

At Deen-Gross Eye Centers in Merrillville and Hobart, IN, we provide advanced solutions in a range of specialties. Using the latest technologies and techniques, Dr. David Gross, Dr. Jeffrey Nelson, and Dr. Jamie Taffora can truly transform your vision. Our doctors are affiliated with several notable organizations, including:

  • The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • The American Osteopathic Association
  • The American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • The Indiana State Medical Association

We are available 24/7 to treat emergencies. To get in touch with us, you can request a consultation online or call (219) 769-8989.

Contact Us

"After wearing glasses my entire life, Dr. Gross corrected my eyesight to better than 20/20 vision." Richard B - St. John, IN

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