Glaucoma Treatment in Harrisburg

Glaucoma Treatment in Harrisburg

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(717) 657-5030

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. Kirn Family 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 Kirn Family 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 Harrisburg


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 Kirn Family Eye Care in Harrisburg 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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29 Reviews
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- Nov. 05, 2024
Dr. Daniel Kirn truly exceeds all expectations, making every visit to the Kirn Family an exciting an... d memorable appointment!
- Oct. 11, 2024
Dr White is the best and very kind.
- Sep. 05, 2024
Great Doctors and Friendly staff..
- Nov. 27, 2023
Very professional and very polite.
- Dec. 01, 2021
They are always kindand helpful.
- Jan. 29, 2021
I had a great experience with this office for 3 years. Doctors including the staff are friendly, pat... ient and very helpful. Thanks!
- Feb. 20, 2020
Went in for an eye appointment, they made me feel super comfortable, and everyone was pleasant and f... un to talk to! Dr. White listened to everything I had to say, made me feel comfortable about being there, and I wasn't as scared as I usually am. The woman who helped me pick out my glasses was wonderful and the receptionists were very friendly! Overall, great experience!
- Aug. 19, 2019
I've been a patient of Dr. White since she and her husband opened their practice together. I am one... of those people whose eye sight has to be exactly "right on" and Dr. White comes through each time. She is patient, kind, extremely knowledgeable in her field, very concerned about her patients, etc...I could go on and on. I would never trust my eyes to anyone else. I think that says it all!
- Nov. 08, 2018
Always a pleasant experience and everyone is friendly. I have been going to Kirn Family Eye Care my ... entire life. I had an emergency one time and they were able to get me in. This truly is a great family business!
- May. 30, 2018
Dr. Kirn has been my families PEC provider for years. I recommend Kirns Family Eyecare to all my fa... mily and friends... Great customer service and nice selection of the lates glasses.
- Mar. 10, 2018
Nice evirenment and doctor is very friendly and professional.
- Jan. 22, 2018
Great experiences here. I've been seeing eye doctors since I was in second grade (So, like 30+ year... s). Kirn Family Eye care has met my expectations in every way. Staff is very friendly. They have ample evening hours. Lately, I've been seeing Dr. White and she's great. I had seen Dr. Kirn in the past. He was great, too. I gladly recommend them to anyone.
- Jun. 24, 2016
Staff is so friendly!! They are helpful and knowledge and great with kids! My 1 yr old needed glasse... s and they were so efficient and got her exactly what she needed!
- May. 04, 2016
I didn't have to wait, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and they knew exactly what to do - ... very professional. Thanks!

View All 29 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Harrisburg

Our optometry practice in Harrisburg

Photograph of Daniel Kirn
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Aetna Medicare
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Highmark
  • Cigna
  • EyeMed
  • VSP
  • VBA
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • Meritain Health
  • Davis Vision
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • Medicare
  • Geisinger

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(717) 657-5030