Glaucoma Treatment in Livonia

Glaucoma Treatment in Livonia

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(734) 525-8170

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. Suburban Eye Care 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 Suburban Eye Care, 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 Livonia


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 Suburban Eye Care in Livonia 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.


Meet our Glaucoma Testing Treatment Specialist

Patient Reviews
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439 Reviews
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- Apr. 18, 2025
Amazing place to do Vision Therapy! My 10 year old daughter was here for 9 months and her improvemen... ts were amazing. She loved her vision therapists and can also see her work has helped her in school and everyday life.
- Apr. 09, 2025
After a head injury, I was experiencing vision problems for about 10 years. My vision was blurry and... looked almost like a vhs recording or an old CRT TV. It was incredibly difficult to read, especially on screens, and I frequently became dizzy, anxious, and nauseated. I had panic attacks randomly and felt off balance and dissociated all the time. I also had severe TMJ and neck pain. I saw several doctors (including eye doctors, neurologists, ENTs and Psychiatrists) and received many different treatments including sinus surgery, TMJ botox, and several different anxiety medications. Unfortunately, none of these really had an impact, and my symptoms persisted. Other eye doctors I saw said my eyes were dry from allergies and all my routine eye exams were normal. It wasn't until I was screened for vision dysfuntion by Dr. Smith that I learned that it was not just anxiety or allergies and I had vision problems that could be treated through vision therapy. Dr. Smith and Ms. Amanda were incredibly caring and skilled, and after completing a 4 month VT program, I no longer suffer from any of my previous symptoms. My life has changed completely, and it's amazing to go through a work day without dry heaving or having a panic attack. It was also nice that all of the activities for VT were similar to games, and there were no pills or surgeries involved. I was a little sceptical of the light bed therapy, but once I started the light bed sessions I was amazed how effective it was for reducing my nausea and managing my sensory issues. I can't recommend VT highly enough!!!
- Apr. 08, 2025
Wow. This was my second visit to Suburban EyeCare and I am beyond happy that I have chosen them to b... e my eye care provider. Every member of their team with whom I interacted was professional, polite, helpful and kind, in a very sincere and genuine way. I have been to numerous eye care providers over the years and Suburban EyeCare is by far the best. Thank you to my friend Jack E for the initial referral last summer - he told me they were great, and he was 100% correct.
- Mar. 21, 2025
I'm always taken care of, even despite the terrible luck I have 🙏🏻
- Mar. 08, 2025
Dr. Arnold was great, friendly staff and a wide selection of glasses.
- Mar. 06, 2025
We loved working with Ms. Amanda for vision therapy for our 10 year-old. She was great communicating... with us to ensure proper practice was done on the at home work. The practice bribes were a hit. We were always greeted with a smile and it’s a bonus that they have things to do for siblings in the waiting room.
- Mar. 04, 2025
Excellent, professional service with good follow up.
- Feb. 16, 2025
Your appointment time is honored and your time is respected. Professional and friendly staff A+ orga... nization start to finish.
- Feb. 06, 2025
Great experience! Dr. Smith was absolutely amazing and took her time to explain everything and look ... at everything. Would recommend her to everyone that I know!
- Feb. 06, 2025
Friendly and competent staff.
- Jan. 30, 2025
Dr Smith and the entire staff is helpful, caring and took the time to explain the treatment necessar... y.
- Jan. 24, 2025
They are so friendly and transparent when it comes to exams and purchasing eyewear. Dr. Arnold is so... great - I'd recommend him to anyone!
- Jan. 23, 2025
Great service and staff. Highly recommend for pediatric eye exams.
- Dec. 22, 2024
Staff was friendly, knowledgeable and caring. Dr. Arnold spent extra time helping me find the correc... t contact lense.
- Dec. 21, 2024
Dr. Arnold is a great eye dr., and he takes time and explain everything concerning your eyes.
- Dec. 12, 2024
We have been coming to you guys since 2001!!! Yep. Over 2 decades. We love you. However, very sad Dr... Jacobi is retiring. We love him But, we use Dr. Smith, and she is WONDERFUL.
- Dec. 09, 2024
Always a great experience. Dr. Jacobi is a caring and truly helpful low vision specialist and provi... des excellent service. The staff is helpful and friendly as well.
- Nov. 19, 2024
Doctor and staff are very knowledgeable, helpful, and easy to talk with. This was my first visit, a... nd I look forward to my next!
- Oct. 23, 2024
Very awesome staff!!
- Oct. 12, 2024
Attention, caring and thorough exam, answers, direction. I always feel confident that I've gotten th... e best care and advice. Takes time, not rushed through. Best experience.

View All 439 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Livonia

Our optometry practice in Livonia

Photograph of Kayla Smith
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
    3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
    3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
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  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(734) 525-8170