Don't Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight
Glaucoma Treatment in Northwest El Paso
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. West Texas Optometry offers several treatments to help address glaucoma. Learn more about the treatments we provide and contact us to schedule an appointment.
The 2 Main Types of Glaucoma
- 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 West Texas Optometry, 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.
What are the Signs of Glaucoma?
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 West Texas Optometry in Northwest El Paso or visiting your nearest emergency room.
Who's at Risk for Glaucoma?
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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.
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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.
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Other Conditions
High myopia, hypertension and diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
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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
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.
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.
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
4.3
390 Reviews
Neal L. - Jun 23, 2026
Okay this is a very important review.... I stopped in today to get my glasses replaced. That is wher... Show Moree I was absolutely blown away by the level of customer service I received. Jackie, who took care of me was spot on. She handled my request with the utmost professionalism and she was able to get my glasses back to me in matter of minutes. I can not express enough how amazing that is.... 😀. Then the price of the replacement showed up and BOOM it was even more surprising that the fact I received my glasses back immediately. It was cheaper that I thought it would be. Now, I can see again and if you wear glasses you know what I mean when say without them life is challenging at best.
The good news doesn't stop there and I needed new prescription sun glasses. Jackie once again went above and beyond. She found an amazing price point for a pair of Nike mirrored glasses that blew my mind. So affordable I kind of thought she might have been kidding... 😀. Nope it was real...
The whole while she and I chatted about things like we were long time friends catching up on life events.
I highly, highly, highly recommend going here to get glasses see the optometrist Dr. Wong she is great as well.
Dont forget to meet Jackie because in my considered opinion she is the best in the business in El Paso.
I will be back for all my eye care needs as long as the good Lord above allows me.
*side note: Jackie needs a raise she is an amazing employee and one heck of a great lady. 😊
Gregory N Leavitt
Vickie M. - Jun 4, 2026
Christian is wonderful and explains everything and answered my questions.
Dr Wong is very thorough
Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Northwest El Paso
Hours Show More
- Monday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Tuesday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Wednesday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Thursday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans Show More
- VSP
- Medicare
- United Healthcare
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Spectera
- Davis Vision
- EyeMed
- Superior Vision
Don't lose sight of your future.
With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.