Dr. Kim is fellowship trained in glaucoma and specializes in advanced diagnostic testing and treatment for glaucoma, he also performs cataract surgery.  Dr. Kim is the first physician in the region to offer a support group for those living with glaucoma.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that occurs when there is an increase in the fluid pressure within the eye. If left untreated, over time this pressure causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve that can result in permanent vision loss. In fact, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

In people with glaucoma, the fluid within the eye does not drain properly. This causes the pressure inside the eye to rise and can cause irreversible damage the optic nerve which is responsible for sending information to your brain that allows you to see. This pressure on the optic nerve causes irreversible damage to critical nerve tissue.

There are several types of glaucoma, but the most common is chronic open-angle glaucoma. In this condition, the pressure builds up slowly over time, so you may not be aware of the problem until your optic nerve is already damaged. At first, vision remains normal. As the pressure continues to damage the optic nerve, patients may notice a loss or blurring of their side vision. If left untreated, the field of vision continues to narrow more and more, leading to eventual blindness.

Know If You Are At Risk

Glaucoma affects as many as 4 million Americans, or 2% of all adults over the age of 40. Unfortunately, many people with glaucoma don't even know they have it. That is because there are no symptoms in the early stages of the condition.

However, glaucoma can be easily diagnosed by your eye care physician and treated to prevent optic nerve damage. That is why we recommend regular eye examinations for all people over the age of 40.

While anyone can get glaucoma, some people are at an increased risk of developing this disease. These include:

• Age, the older you get the greater the risk
• People with high blood pressure
• Diabetics
• People with a family history of glaucoma
• Those who have suffered an eye injury
• African Americans, who are five times more likely to develop glaucoma

Early Diagnosis Can Save Your Sight

Glaucoma can be easily detected during your regular eye examination by your eye care physician. In addition, Center For Sight offers the revolutionary GDx Laser Scanner and OCT, both are advanced diagnostic technologies that are able to detect glaucoma far earlier than traditional testing methods. The GDx Scanner  and OCT are fast, comfortable and non-invasive. In a matter of minutes, it can determine if there is even the smallest amount of damage to the optic nerve so treatment can begin at once to prevent vision loss.

Evaluation with the GDx Laser Scanner is especially recommended for those people who are at increased risk for glaucoma. This technology also can be used for monitoring glaucoma patients during treatment to ensure that the condition is being controlled effectively.

Treating Glaucoma

Center For Sight is the leader in bringing our patients the latest advances for the treatment of glaucoma. While there is no cure for the disorder, effective treatments are available that can control the pressure within the eye and prevent vision loss.

Medications  A variety of different eye drops and oral medications are used to control glaucoma. However, some of these drugs may stop working over time, or they may cause unpleasant side effects. When a problem occurs, your physician may try a different medication or discuss other treatment options.

Laser therapy Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) Used to treat open angle glaucoma. The SLT uses short pulses of energy to target the trabecular meshwork dand to reduce intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve. SLT does not cause any scarring of the trabecular network and therefore, is a repeatable procedure.

Trabeculectomy/AquaFlow®   Center For Sight was the first practice in the Sarasota area to offer treatment with the FDA-approved AquaFlow® Collagen Drainage Device. We implant the AquaFlow Device near the eye 's natural drainage network where it creates a new canal to drain excess fluid from the eye. Because it is made from collagen, the AquaFlow dissolves completely over a period of months. However, the channel it creates remains as a permanent drainage canal. The procedure to implant the device is much less invasive than other surgical approaches for treating glaucoma, with more rapid healing and fewer risks. It is performed on an outpatient basis in Center For Sight's fully accredited Surgery Center.

Tube Implants  Silicone tubes are implanted around the eye to drain the fluid which helps keep the pressure down.

Make The Clear Choice

Schedule a glaucoma consultation at Center For Sight so you can meet and interview our board-certified physicians personally, Click Here to request an appointment. Or call our office at (941) 925-2020 in Sarasota, (941) 488-2020 in Venice, or (941) 756-EYES (3937) in Bradenton.

Click here for our complete seminar schedule. No reservations are required. Just pick a date and bring along a friend to this informative event.