Glaucoma Treatment in Dunedin

Glaucoma Treatment in Dunedin

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(727) 734-8843

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. AccuVision Optical 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 AccuVision Optical, 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 Dunedin


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 AccuVision Optical in Dunedin 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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217 Reviews
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- Sep. 17, 2024
AccuVision provided timely, professional and efficient resolution of an acute eye issue. Saw me wit... hin one hour. I'm confident that they can resolve any eye issue that I might encounter in a timely manner.
- Aug. 26, 2024
I have been going to ACCU Vision Optical for two years now. Dr. Richard Marrotte is professional and... personable. He is excellent at educating his patients about the eyes and the care they need. I wouldn’t want to go to anyone else.
- Aug. 25, 2024
The staff was friendly and Dr.Tupps takes time to explain things and is very thorough
- Aug. 22, 2024
Eye exam by Dr. Marrotte felt like I'm in the best place for taking care of my vision
- Aug. 09, 2024
Everyone was friendly and professional! Eye exam was thorough and my new prescription is ideal. Glas... ses fit great and the progressive lens are easy to see through without tripping or falling.
- Jul. 24, 2024
The office staff and Dr. Marrotte are very friendly, attentive and professional. They measured and o... rdered progressive, gas permeable contact lenses for me and they fit perfectly. I highly recommend AccuVision Optical and Dr. Marrotte.
- Jul. 24, 2024
You will find the highest levels of professionalism, a welcoming staff and atmosphere, and phenomena... l subject matter expertise here.
- Jul. 13, 2024
Everyone from the receptionist to the doctor was capable, well informed and most helpful. I am extre... mely satisfied with the service and my eye glasses fit perfecty.
- Jul. 12, 2024
Great people, very knowledgeable and always friendly and professional
- Jul. 05, 2024
Very kind staff, and a very thorough exam. They let me take my time picking out glasses and were so ... helpful.
- Jun. 22, 2024
Great experience. Fast, friendly, and accurate.
- Jun. 14, 2024
Friendly staff and a knowledgeable and caring doctor.
- Jun. 08, 2024
The staff is great and find appointments for both my husband and I at the same time! Both Doctors ... are great and the optical staff are so helpful in selecting frames!
- Jun. 07, 2024
Great place to get great service and treated Like they really care about treating you well.
- Jun. 06, 2024
Great service! I felt comfortable and confident in their care
- May. 27, 2024
Very professional and friendly place! Dr Tupps is a great eye doctor!
- May. 24, 2024
I highly recommend the staff of AccuVision Optical and Dr. Richard Marrotte to you. I'm a new patien... t (4 months) with what I'd been told is a very complicated rigid gas permeable contact lens prescription. Eye doctor after eye doctor had not been able to figure out how to update a 14-yr old contacts lens prescription for any number of reasons. So I was referred to AccuVision Optical. Impressions: First, the staff there- to a person- is amazing, friendly, professional and efficient- and that alone makes for a great experience. Then... meeting Dr. Marrotte who assured me "it may take a few tries, but we can do this!" and he has. He is patient, communicative, explains what he's doing, what he's going to try- and why- and the end result is I have new set of RGP contact lenses. I truly cannot recommend the staff and Dr. Marrotte highly enough. They are good people and exceptional in their craft.
- May. 22, 2024
If you love your eyes, do them a favor, and go here. I have an extremely high vision prescription (a... round -8) and out of all the eye doctors I have been to in my life around the US, Dr. Marrotte is the best. He truly cares and he spends the time explaining the health status of your eyes. He answers your questions, he is extremely nice and personable and knowledgable. He is the third eye doctor I have visited for sclera lenses and he was the only one to have me wait in the office and have my second, third, fourth fitted lense samples checked after I had them in for 15 minutes. The previous doctors just had me pick them up from the office without seeing anyone until a week later. In addition, his office staff is amazing. Natasha and Helen spent at least an hour trying to get me the most money out of my insurance. They truly were invested in getting me the best coverage out of my policy. Jessica and Kristine were also super friendly and made me feel at home. I highly, highly, recommend them!!! This office really knows the true meaning of exceptional customer service.
- May. 21, 2024
Excellent services for vision care.
- May. 17, 2024
Super nice folks from the moment you step up to the counter. Tech Michael was very kind and thoroug... h as well as Dr. Merotte (sp?). The ladies at the counter were so sweet and Christine helped me get all the info in the Ipad. Great experience.

View All 217 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Dunedin

Our optometry practice in Dunedin

Photograph of Richard  Marrotte
Hours
  • Monday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
    1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(727) 734-8843