Glaucoma Management in Central Alberta

Book Appointment

Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

Glaucoma is an eye disease that occurs when there’s damage to the optic nerve. There’s usually an association between optic nerve damage and elevated internal eye pressure (IOP), but not in all glaucoma cases.

Glaucoma often progresses silently, with no symptoms or pain, and can eventually lead to irreversible peripheral vision loss and blindness if left untreated.

There’s no cure for glaucoma. However, research and technology have made it incredibly straightforward for eye doctors to identify its symptoms and provide management options to prevent additional damage.

When you visit the Eye Care Centre for an eye exam, our optometrists carefully check the pressure in both your eyes and look for potential threats to the optic nerve, either of which can indicate glaucoma.

Call us today for a comprehensive eye exam that includes glaucoma testing.

Glaucoma Types & Symptoms

There are several types of glaucoma that are generally grouped into 2 classifications: primary and secondary.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma, accounting for 90% of all cases in Canada. It develops gradually and painlessly, with no symptoms until vision loss has occurred.

Open-angle glaucoma is usually associated with elevated IOP that occurs when the eye’s drainage system becomes blocked, even though the drainage angle remains open. However, some people develop normal-tension glaucoma, a form of open-angle glaucoma that develops when IOP remains within normal limits.

Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

This type of glaucoma results from a build-up of fluid due to the sudden closing of the drainage angle. This sudden closing causes a rapid increase in IOP. Acute closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to prevent severe sight loss.

Acute closed-angle glaucoma is typically accompanied by painful symptoms like blurred vision, red eye, eye pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Chronic Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Chronic angle-closure glaucoma occurs when there’s a gradual narrowing of the eye’s drainage system and takes much longer to develop than acute angle-closure glaucoma. Optic nerve damage is slow, and there are no symptoms other than sight loss.

Secondary glaucoma includes any form of glaucoma that develops due to another condition, such as eye injury, inflammation, medications (including steroids), and advanced cases of cataracts or diabetes.

Be Proactive in Assessing Glaucoma

Because vision loss associated with glaucoma is irrecoverable, detecting this disease early is vital. With no noticeable early symptoms, many people are often unaware they have glaucoma. So, it’s imperative to schedule routine eye health exams that involve glaucoma testing.

Our optometrists at the Eye Care Centre carefully monitor your eyes over time to ensure that we detect even the earliest signs of eye diseases like glaucoma and recommend preventative treatment.

Experience Zeiss Lenses

Zeiss is a world leader in precision optics, creating lenses that are exceptionally well-designed with your real life in mind. 

From SmartLife lenses constructed for the way you use devices, to PhotoFusion lenses for seamless transitions between indoors and outdoors, and groundbreaking myopia control technology for children, Zeiss creates the lenses your family’s eyes deserve.

ZEISS logo

Our Locations

Red Deer Eye Care Centre

  • 4402 49th Avenue
  • Red Deer, AB T4N 3W6

Rimbey Eye Care Centre

  • 5010 50th Avenue
  • Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0

Rocky Eye Care Centre

  • 5040 B – 50th Street
  • Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1A5

Our Services

Dry Eye Therapy

Leading dry eye solutions tailored to your needs.

Children’s Eye Exams

Start your child’s eye care journey with the help of our team.

Adult & Senior Eye Exams

Protect and preserve your vision throughout your life.

Contact Lens Exams, Fittings, & Brands

Give your eyes the gift of clearer vision.

Our Brands

See Our Google Reviews

Contact Lenses for Astigmatism: What Can I Use?

Contact lensesRefractive Errors

Toric lenses are typically the first choice for astigmatism correction, but there are a few other options available. […]

Learn More

March 26, 2024
Dr. Daryl Berger

How Long Can Eye Strain Last?

Digital Eye StrainEye Care

Usually, eye strain only lasts for a few hours after you take a break, but the symptoms can last longer in some cases. […]

Learn More

February 27, 2024
Dr. Daryl Berger

How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?

Eye CareEye Exams

Our eyes are often referred to as the windows to our souls. They allow us to experience the world and all its beauty in vivid colours and clear images. As we go through life, we must take care of our eyes’ health and prevent any potential issues from arising.  One way to do so is […]

Learn More

February 12, 2024
Dr. Daryl Berger
A woman holding out a contact lens on her index finger

Toric lenses are typically the first choice for astigmatism correction, but there are a few other options available. […]

Learn More

A woman taking off her glasses and rubbing the bridge of her nose

Usually, eye strain only lasts for a few hours after you take a break, but the symptoms can last longer in some cases. […]

Learn More

An optometrist examines a female patient's eyes while she sits behind a phoropter at the eye doctors office

Our eyes are often referred to as the windows to our souls. They allow us to experience the world and all its beauty in vivid colours and clear images. As we go through life, we must take care of our eyes’ health and prevent any potential issues from arising.  One way to do so is […]

Learn More

instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax