Hear From Board-Certified Glaucoma Specialist Omar Gayasaddin, D.O.
Glaucoma is one of the most common forms of vision loss worldwide. Yet, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to half of people with glaucoma don’t realize they have this vision-stealing disease. The longer glaucoma goes undiagnosed, the more likely it is for patients to experience permanent vision loss. That’s why it’s important to understand the first signs of glaucoma and have regular screenings with your eye doctor.
We interviewed board-certified glaucoma specialist Omar Gayasaddin, D.O., one of the dedicated eye surgeons at Florida Eye Specialists, to understand the early warning signs and symptoms of glaucoma. He also explains the latest treatments to protect your sight.
What Are the First Signs of Glaucoma?
“Glaucoma is known as the silent thief of sight,” Dr. Gayasaddin said. “There’s no pain, and it progresses so slowly that you may not notice the signs. That’s why it can go undiagnosed for years if you don’t have regular eye exams.”
While patients usually cannot notice the early signs, he said your eye doctor checks several factors during your annual exam to protect your sight:
Elevated Eye Pressure
According to Dr. Gayasaddin, elevated eye pressure is one of the first signs eye doctors look for during your eye exam to indicate glaucoma. Once an eye doctor notes elevated eye pressure, they will order specific tests, like the optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan, to evaluate the retina and optic nerve and confirm the diagnosis.
Peripheral Vision Loss
Glaucoma causes vision loss in peripheral vision. However, “we only use our peripheral vision about five percent of the time. Our brain can accommodate for that loss so we don’t notice it.” That’s why when Dr. Gayasaddin suspects a patient may have glaucoma, he uses a visual field test to check the patient’s peripheral vision. “That lets us map out if there is an early loss in the periphery because that’s where glaucoma starts,” he said.
Central Vision Loss
“If you don’t have eye exams for many years and glaucoma isn’t caught early, you can have vision changes,” Dr. Gayasaddin said. He explained that peripheral vision loss will slowly increase toward the central vision, which we use for everyday activities like reading, driving, working, and recognizing faces. “You can lose 40 to 50% of your vision. The problem is that any vision loss from glaucoma is permanent. We are not able to regenerate it.”
Family History
Dr. Gayasaddin says that knowing your family history of glaucoma helps you stay aware of your risk. “If you have siblings, parents, or grandparents who have glaucoma, you are at higher risk.” That means keeping regular eye exams for screening is even more important.
Glaucoma Treatment Options
“The goal of glaucoma treatment is to stay ahead of it,” Dr. Gayasaddin said. “When I treat patients, I look at what I can do today to help your eyes five years from now and ten years from now. Glaucoma never stops progressing, so you have to get ahead of it to slow the progression.”
He explained that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. “If glaucoma is diagnosed early, you have more time to prepare and get ahead of it.” That means fewer changes to vision and less risk for surgery.
Once diagnosed, the doctors at Florida Eye Specialists are at the forefront of innovation, providing state-of-the-art glaucoma treatments like:
Medicated drops
Many patients are treated medically with glaucoma eye drops. If used properly, these drops can keep eye pressure down and prevent vision changes. They are the first choice treatment for patients to avoid surgery and preserve sight. Although these drops work well, not all patients can tolerate them and some patients may need more advanced procedures.
Glaucoma stent
A glaucoma stent is a tiny device that is implanted into the eye to help regulate intraocular pressure, working as a small drainage system that allows excess fluid to flow out of the eye.
Dr. Gayasaddin explained that one of the more advanced solutions the surgeons at Florida Eye Specialists use is the XEN Gel Stent. The procedure typically only takes 10-15 minutes, and because it is self-healing, there is no need for stitches. Patients can often resume normal activities the very next day with minimal disruption to their daily lives.
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) involves opening up the internal drain of the eye to enhance fluid removal in a rapid and safe procedure. MIGS can help patients with mild to moderate glaucoma. It can lead to faster healing and visual recovery than traditional glaucoma surgery. Most patients are able to resume their daily routines within days of the procedure.
Schedule a Consultation With a Glaucoma Specialist
Dr. Gayasaddin explained that the many glaucoma treatment options available now allow for less risk, faster recovery, and in certain cases, more predictable outcomes.
“Of course, it’s important to consult with your glaucoma specialist to see which options, if any, are best for you,” he said. “All of our glaucoma specialists at Florida Eye Specialists offer a wide array of options so we can personalize your treatment. With so many additional procedures on the horizon, the future is bright for glaucoma patients.”
Florida Eye Specialists has been voted the best eye care practice for nine years in a row and is the largest glaucoma practice in the region. Schedule an appointment at one of our many convenient locations, including Fernandina Beach, Mandarin, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, Palm Coast and Ormond Beach, Florida.