Glaucoma Treatment in White Bear Lake

Glaucoma Treatment in White Bear Lake

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

Schedule Eye Exam

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. Birch Lake Eye Clinic 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.

Preserve Your Vision For Longer

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 Birch Lake Eye Clinic, 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 White Bear Lake


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 Birch Lake Eye Clinic in White Bear Lake 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.


Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in White Bear Lake

Our optometry practice in White Bear Lake

Photograph of Brian Grudem
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

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
Patient Reviews
4.9
348 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Sep. 05, 2023
Great care was given to issues with my eyes along with a kind and attentive staff, I would highly re... commend Birch Lake Eye Clinic!
- Aug. 05, 2023
I highly recommend Dr. Lundell & all the staff at Birch Lake Eye Clinic.
- Jul. 31, 2023
Great staff!
- Jun. 12, 2023
Outstanding! went well beyond what I was expecting to accommodate my oddball request in bifocals.
- May. 19, 2023
Very nice environment!! Been going for years
- May. 04, 2023
This clinic - and the personnel all all amazing! I highly recommend it.
- Apr. 22, 2023
Clean, organized, friendly, knowledgeable! A+
- Apr. 18, 2023
Best eye exam ever
- Apr. 06, 2023
Always a pleasant experience
- Apr. 04, 2023
Always amazing service. Personable. I have been going there since I was a kid, and now mine go there... too.
- Mar. 25, 2023
Professional, friendly, knowledgeable and efficient.
- Mar. 17, 2023
Very helpful and pleasant staff and doctors. I would recommend them to anyone.
- Mar. 03, 2023
I've seen Dr Grudem for 15 to 20 years and he is fantastic. I just met Dr. Lucas today and was very ... impressed , I would be very happy to see him if Dr. Grudem was not available .
- Jan. 21, 2023
Dr. Lucas, and the whole staff, have helped our family greatly and treated us with the best care and... respect. Topnotch! We are grateful.
- Jan. 19, 2023
The village eye should be called the happy place.
- Dec. 12, 2022
My family loves the Staff and Dr. Schwantke. They are nice and personable, Always taking the time t... o answer any and all questions my children and I have for them.
- Dec. 12, 2022
Great facility, nice Dr's. best part is with new technology, you don't have to have your eyes dilate... d for most things.
- Dec. 07, 2022
Professional, kind, knowledgeable and fun
- Dec. 05, 2022
Dr. Lucas is one of the best! Birch Lake is a wonderful place to go.
- Dec. 01, 2022
This office has all the latest up-to-date equipment and technology for diagnosing my particular eye ... situation and problem areas. I have been seeing Dr Grudem for over 40 years, so he is like a trusted friend to me.

View All 348 Reviews

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.


glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

Schedule Eye Exam