Glaucoma

The "Silent Thief of Sight" — And How We Stay Ahead of It

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of irreversible vision loss worldwide, and it earns its nickname for a reason: most people with glaucoma have no symptoms until significant, permanent damage has already occurred. That's what makes regular eye exams and advanced diagnostic screening so critical.

At Lakefront Eye Care | Aesthetics & Wellness, we use the latest technology and a proactive management approach to detect glaucoma early and protect your vision for the long term.
 

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve — the vital connection between your eye and your brain. The most common form is associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), but glaucoma can also develop with normal pressure levels, which is why pressure checks alone aren't enough.

Without treatment, glaucoma causes progressive, irreversible loss of peripheral (side) vision that can eventually affect central vision as well.
 

How We Detect Glaucoma

Our comprehensive approach to glaucoma screening goes well beyond the standard "puff test":

• Intraocular pressure measurement — using accurate, patient-friendly tonometry

• Zeiss Cirrus OCT 5000 — measures the thickness of your retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell complex with extraordinary precision. This is often where glaucoma damage shows up first — before any vision loss is noticeable

• Eidon Ultra-Wide Field Retinal Imaging — provides detailed views of the optic nerve head and surrounding structures

• Corneal thickness measurement — because corneal thickness affects the accuracy of pressure readings

• Visual field testing — when indicated, to map any functional vision changes

This combination of tests allows us to detect glaucoma at its earliest stages and differentiate it from other conditions that can mimic glaucoma.
 

Personalized Management Plans

If glaucoma is detected, we work closely with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to the type and severity of your condition:
 

Prescription Eye Drops
The first line of treatment for most patients. We help you find the right medication that effectively lowers your pressure with minimal side effects, and we educate you on proper administration technique.
 

Monitoring & Follow-Up
Glaucoma management is a long-term partnership. We schedule regular follow-up visits with OCT imaging and pressure measurements to track your response to treatment and detect any progression.
 

Referral for Advanced Treatment
When eye drops alone aren't sufficient, we coordinate with trusted ophthalmologists for:

• Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)

• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

• Traditional surgical intervention when necessary

Risk Factors to Be Aware Of

You may be at higher risk for glaucoma if you have:

• A family history of glaucoma

• Elevated intraocular pressure

• African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage

• Age over 60 (or over 40 for African Americans)

• High myopia (nearsightedness)

• Diabetes or cardiovascular disease

• History of eye injury or surgery

Don't Wait for Symptoms That May Never Come

The vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored — but with early detection and proper management, further loss can almost always be prevented. Regular comprehensive eye exams are your best defense.
 

Protect your vision. Get screened.

Schedule Your Exam →

Proudly serving Edgewater, Sloan's Lake, Northwest Denver, Wheat Ridge, and Lakewood.