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Northern Virginia Ophthalmology Associates, P.C. — Your Vision Is Our Focus

Glaucoma

Glaucoma screening & treatment

In short

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often linked to high eye pressure. It usually causes no symptoms until side vision is lost, and that loss cannot be reversed. Regular exams catch it early, and treatment with drops, laser, or surgery can slow or stop further damage.

Who should be screened
Adults over 40, and anyone with a family history, African, Hispanic, or Asian ancestry, high eye pressure, diabetes, high nearsightedness, or long-term steroid use
Tests
Eye pressure, optic nerve exam, OCT imaging, visual fields, corneal thickness
Treatments
Eye drops, laser, MIGS, and glaucoma surgery
Offered at
Falls Church · Fairfax · Alexandria
Request an AppointmentCall (703) 534-3900

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

The most common type, open-angle glaucoma, is painless and slowly narrows peripheral vision — many people do not notice until damage is advanced. A less common type, acute angle-closure glaucoma, is an emergency.

  • Seek care immediately for sudden eye pain, headache, redness, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea, or vomiting.

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

  • Tonometry — measures eye pressure
  • Dilated optic nerve exam
  • OCT imaging — measures the nerve fiber layer
  • Visual field testing — maps side vision
  • Gonioscopy — checks the eye's drainage angle
  • Pachymetry — measures corneal thickness

How is glaucoma treated?

Glaucoma is lifelong. Our fellowship-trained glaucoma specialists build long-term plans and adjust treatment as your eyes change.

  • Prescription eye drops that lower eye pressure
  • Laser treatment to improve fluid drainage
  • Minimally or micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), often combined with cataract surgery
  • Traditional glaucoma surgery for advanced or hard-to-control disease

Frequently asked questions

Can glaucoma be cured?

There is no cure, and lost vision cannot be restored. But treatment is very effective at slowing or stopping further damage when glaucoma is found early and managed consistently.

Does high eye pressure mean I have glaucoma?

Not always. Some people have high pressure without nerve damage (ocular hypertension), and some develop glaucoma with normal pressure. That is why a full evaluation includes imaging and visual field testing, not pressure alone.

What is MIGS?

MIGS stands for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery — procedures that use tiny devices or incisions to improve fluid drainage with faster recovery than traditional surgery. It is often performed at the same time as cataract surgery.

How often do I need glaucoma checkups?

Most patients with glaucoma are seen every 3 to 12 months, depending on how stable the disease is. Your doctor will set a schedule for you.

Doctors who provide this care

This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an exam. Call 911 for a medical emergency.

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