Glaucoma
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease that involves damage to the optic nerve. In most types, inner eye pressure increases due to the buildup of a fluid called aqueous humor. When aqueous humor is overproduced, or there is an issue with drainage, inner eye pressure can reach dangerous levels, which can lead to optic nerve damage. Glaucoma rarely presents symptoms at its earliest stages, which is why early diagnosis is crucial to saving your eyesight.
Dr. Choate can provide vision care for glaucoma patients at every phase of the disease. Our eye doctor provides the communities of greater Nashville and Hendersonville with comprehensive eye exams from our office in Goodlettsville, TN.
5-Star Reviews
Angela Pitts
2021
The entire staff at Choate are great to work with. Very sensitive and caring. I’ve been going working with this team since 2011 and highly recommend them!
View on GoogleJohn Saros
2021
Dr. Choate is extremely knowledgeable and I left feeling like he cared about my vision. His staff is super friendly and laughed at my bad jokes with conviction. 10/10, will go again.
View on GoogleGlaucoma Risk Factors
While glaucoma can affect nearly anyone, there are certain groups that are at a higher risk of developing the condition than others. Patients who fall into these risk groups should regularly receive eye exams in order to protect their vision. These groups include:
Glaucoma is six to eight times more common in African Americans than in Caucasians.
Patients over the age of 60 are six times more likely to develop glaucoma.
A family history of glaucoma can increase the risk of disease by four to six times.
Patients with Hispanic lineage over the age of 60 have a higher risk of glaucoma than patients of predominantly European ancestry.
Asians are at a higher risk for angle-closure glaucoma while people of Japanese lineage are at a higher risk for normal-tension glaucoma.
Steroid use, blunt trauma to the eye, high myopia, hypertension, and low central corneal thickness are all risk factors for glaucoma.
Save Your Vision with Early Detection Schedule an Appointment Today
Our practice serves the eye care needs of Nashville and Hendersonville from our advanced optometry office in Goodlettsville, TN. Our eye care physician uses the latest technology and proven techniques in vision care to detect the earliest signs of eye diseases, including glaucoma.
During a comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Choate tests every patient's eye pressure and visual field, and checks for any optic nerve damage. If any sign of glaucoma is present, he can provide effective medical therapies and superior pre- and post-surgical care if it is needed.
To learn more, schedule an appointment with our eye doctor in Goodlettsville, serving greater Nashville, TN. You can request a visit to Choate Eye Associates online or by calling:
(615) 851-7575
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More 5-Star Reviews
Patricia Averitt
2021
Very friendly service and a detailed eye exam would highly recommend
View on GooglePhilip Reich
2021
Always excellent service and attention to detail in caring for the patient.
View on GoogleGlaucoma Treatments
Depending on the type and severity of your glaucoma, Dr. Choate can develop an individualized treatment plan at our Nashville-area practice to manage your condition and prevent vision loss. Types of treatments used to manage glaucoma include:
Eye Drops
Eye drops can be used to decrease pressure by helping aqueous humor drain more effectively. Eye drops can also reduce the amount of fluid produced by an affected eye and in turn, decrease the level of harmful eye pressure.
Medication
Prescription medication can prevent optic nerve damage by reducing elevated intraocular pressure. Medications typically include beta blockers, prostaglandin analogs, alpha agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and rho kinase inhibitors.
Laser Surgery
A laser can be used to make a small opening in the eye and lower intraocular pressure. Common laser procedures used to treat glaucoma include selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), and laser cyclophotocoagulation.
Incisional Surgery
If eye drops, medication, and laser surgery are unsuccessful in lowering your eye pressure, Dr. Choate may recommend filtering surgery. Also known as incisional surgery, this involves creating a drainage hole in the white part of the eye. This allows fluid to leave the eye and lower intraocular pressure.
