Glaucoma Management in Central Alberta

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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.

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Our Locations

Red Deer Eye Care Centre

  • 4402 49th Avenue
  • Red Deer, AB T4N 3W6
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Rimbey Eye Care Centre

  • 5010 50th Avenue
  • Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0
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Rocky Eye Care Centre

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

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Give your eyes the gift of clearer vision.

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