Glaucoma Treatment in Lancaster

Glaucoma Treatment in Lancaster

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(717) 898-8878

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.

It's caused by fluid build-up and increased pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve that progressively worsens your vision. This disease can cause severe, irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

In many cases, appropriate control and treatment can help prevent further damage to the eyes and protect your vision. Dombrowski Eye Associates offers several treatments to help address glaucoma. Learn more about the treatments we provide and contact us to schedule an appointment.

Glaucoma diagnosis


The 2 Main Types of Glaucoma

grandfather wearing glasses holding his granddaughter

  • Open-angle glaucoma: the most common type. It is a lifelong condition that accounts for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma: a rare form of the disease which requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when the angle is closed in many or most areas between the iris and cornea, which reduces fluid drainage and increases eye pressure.

Glaucoma: The Sneaky Thief of Sight

There is a reason glaucoma is called “the sneaky thief of sight”--half the people with glaucoma don’t even know they have it! Meaning, they may not have symptoms in the early stages.

At Dombrowski Eye Associates, we diagnose and help preserve your vision with cutting-edge glaucoma treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

If you have a family history of glaucoma or have been diagnosed with glaucoma, contact us today.

optometrist in Lancaster


What are the Signs of Glaucoma?

glaucoma signs

As mentioned earlier, glaucoma usually shows no symptoms in its early stages. When signs do manifest, it's usually loss of tunnel vision or peripheral vision. Unfortunately, by the time vision loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed.

That said, the less common angle-closure glaucoma does show a sudden onset of symptoms, including:

  • Extreme eye pain
  • Eye redness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek prompt diagnosis and treatment by contacting Dombrowski Eye Associates in Lancaster or visiting your nearest emergency room.


Who's at Risk for Glaucoma?

  • Age 40 +

    The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age, with most glaucoma patients aged 40 and up. That said, there is a much rarer form of this disease (congenital glaucoma) that affects infants.

  • Family History & Ethnicity

    Your risk for developing glaucoma is higher if you have a family history of the disease. Those of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American, and Indigenous Canadian descent have a higher risk of developing this disease.

  • Other Conditions

    High myopia, hypertension and diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

  • Eye Injury or Trauma

    An eye injury, trauma or eye surgery can increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.


Common Glaucoma Treatments

There is currently no cure for glaucoma. However, several treatments are available to prevent the progression of this sight-robbing condition. With the right care, you have a higher chance of managing your glaucoma and preserving your vision.

Common treatments include:

Eye Drops

Your optometrist will prescribe eye drops to help regulate pressure inside the eye by decreasing fluid production and/or improving drainage.

Laser Surgery

If eye drops aren’t doing enough to reduce intraocular pressure or intraocular temperature in open-angle glaucoma, laser surgery may be an option. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) opens up the drainage system in the eye to reduce pressure.

SLT is successful in 80% of cases and can reduce eye pressure by 20%.

Other Surgeries

If a laser procedure or eye drops do not lower eye pressure to the desired level, your eye doctor may recommend one of the following surgeries:

  • Incision Surgery
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants

Glaucoma Testing Treatment FAQs

How does an eye doctor diagnose glaucoma?

Since glaucoma has no side effects early on, it is essential for people with a family history of risk factors for glaucoma to get tested. The following tests diagnose glaucoma:

  • Tonometry: measures the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP)
  • Ophthalmoscopy (dilated eye exam): examines the shape and color of the optic nerve
  • Perimetry: measures your field of vision
  • Gonioscopy: checks the angle where the iris meets the cornea
  • Pachymetry: determines the thickness of the cornea to better evaluate eye pressure.
What foods should you avoid if you have glaucoma?

The following are the foods every glaucoma patient should consider avoiding immediately. It should help keep your optic nerve healthy and minimize eye pressure.

  • Caffeine - certain studies show that caffeine contributes to increased intraocular pressure.
  • Saturated fats - a diet high in saturated fats can lead to weight gain, which not only increases intraocular pressure but also cholesterol levels.
  • Trans fats - try to limit your consumption of trans fats because they can also raise cholesterol levels
  • Salt - make sure to consume salt sparingly, as increased blood pressure can indirectly lead to intraocular pressure.
What percentage of glaucoma patients go blind?

About 60% of patients diagnosed with glaucoma will eventually lose some vision.

However, the rate of legal blindness among glaucoma patients is 5%. Getting effective treatment early on will greatly increase your ability to preserve and maximize your vision.

Patient Reviews
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141 Reviews
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- Sep. 23, 2024
Extremely knowledgeable. The staff is professional and everything they do.
- Sep. 09, 2024
These folks provide outstanding, detailed care and they all work together to provide the best servic... e possible.
- Aug. 19, 2024
Wonderful care and friendly staff and doctors.
- Aug. 08, 2024
Worth a visit!
- Aug. 05, 2024
Dr Kaufman is amazing. He's a new doctor at this location and he is super informative and polite. I ... 100% recommend it here
- Jul. 23, 2024
Everyone is so friendly. The annual exam was quick and efficient!
- May. 22, 2024
The best practice there is. Highly recommend them to everyone. I have been going there for a long t... ime and recently took my husband for his first visit. He has been other places and this has been his first thorough examination. He also would highly recommend Dombrowski Eye Associates to everyone.
- Apr. 23, 2024
I would definitely recommend Dr. Dombrowski for any one looking for an eye doctor. The thorough eye ... exam, welcoming office staff and excellent customer service made my experience a 5 star.
- Apr. 14, 2024
Dombrowsiki Eye Associates has dedicated and friendly staff
- Feb. 06, 2024
It is always a pleasure to visit the office. Dr. Dombrowski and his staff are always on time, very k... ind and professional.
- Jan. 16, 2024
Attentive. Clear. Genuinely warm. Punctual. I trust that my eyes are in good hands. Dan Christian
- Dec. 22, 2023
Everyone at Dombrowski is great! From the ladies working at the front desk to Doc! Appreciate you ... all and taking great care of my family’s eyes!
- Dec. 06, 2023
Very nice visit. Friendly staff.
- Nov. 07, 2023
Fran is consistently friendly, greeting me by name. The wait was short and I was early. The techni... cian, whose name escapes me, is always professional and pleasant--conversational and interested in what I have to say.
- Oct. 14, 2023
I was running late for an afternoon appointment on a Friday! Staff were very accommodating and kind.... They got me in and out efficiently and were kind and actually fun during my appointment!
- Aug. 24, 2023
Dr. Wolaniuk is excellent. Very professional, knowledgeable and takes time to educate . She listens ... to my concerns about my eye health.
- Aug. 23, 2023
Excellent eye care. Very thorough and comprehensive eye exam.
- Aug. 15, 2023
Terrific service.
- Aug. 09, 2023
Friendly, efficient and completely professional.
- Jul. 26, 2023
As always, Dr Dombrowski is great to work with in taking care of my vision needs. He is very knowl... edegable and offers great suggestions.

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Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Lancaster

Our optometry practice in Lancaster

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Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Medicare
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  • EyeMed
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Care Credit
  • Trustmark
  • Spectera
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • VBA

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(717) 898-8878