Glaucoma Treatment in Hannibal

Glaucoma Treatment in Hannibal

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(573) 248-1616

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. International Eyecare Center - Hannibal 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 International Eyecare Center - Hannibal, 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 Hannibal


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 International Eyecare Center - Hannibal in Hannibal 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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400 Reviews
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- Nov. 28, 2024
Staff were helpful and explained everything, as well as kind and caring. Dr. Mueller was very friend... ly and open. All in all, a really good experience! It didn't feel like going to the doctor at all!
- Oct. 26, 2024
I love IEC because they treat me like family and are very knowledgeable in their field! Dr. Daack i... s the best!
- Oct. 24, 2024
Hands down best and easiest time I have ever had getting an eye exam. Everyone was super friendly a... nd helpful. Appreciate the fact they were fast and respectful of my time.
- Oct. 16, 2024
The doctor and staff are super friendly and helpful and it is a pleasant experience every time I go ... to the eye doctor.
- Oct. 07, 2024
Great people here.
- Aug. 28, 2024
Excellent eye care faculty. From scheduling an appointment, to picking out frames everyone is very p... rofessional, yet friendly and understanding of each patients different needs. Dr. Daack not only treats you for your eye care needs but truly gets to know you and ask about major life events that are currently happening. This makes you feel as part of their family not just another patient. Highly recommend Dr. Daack and IEC.
- Aug. 23, 2024
Absolutely hands down the best of the best of the best years man!!!! Especially my personal favorite... s Chandra eye tech and of course Dr. Kenneth Mueller. Thanx to y'all for everything u all do. I really appreciate it ALL!!
- Aug. 08, 2024
Great place. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and doctors.! Many test done in office on your first v... isit. Totally compressive care. It's the place to go! Check it out for yourself.
- Aug. 04, 2024
I love international eye care except one receptionist I think her name is renea or Rhonda she's rude... and mean
- Jul. 03, 2024
Very nice staff, great doctor
- Jul. 01, 2024
All staff was wonderful and made me feel comfortable! I would recommend IEC to everyone. We have bee... n going for years.
- Jun. 23, 2024
The staff is friendly and helpful.
- Jun. 21, 2024
excellent and caring staff and Kent Mueller is the best!!
- Jun. 20, 2024
Great experience .. and love my glasses..
- Jun. 17, 2024
they are great place i take my yungest there and my oldest daughter and grandbabies even go it great...
- May. 26, 2024
I was very pleased with the eye exam I received the lady who helped me pick out glasses was very car... ing and making sure that I got the right glasses for me and that I was getting the best price for my glasses
- May. 18, 2024
Getting an appointment is easy. They are friendly, caring, understanding, knowledgeable, all around ... just a very pleasant place and employees.
- May. 14, 2024
Best overall team out there for eye care !!
- May. 06, 2024
Hannibal IEC is Great with children
- Apr. 11, 2024
Dr. Mueller is top notch, cares about his patients, very pleasant.

View All 400 Reviews

Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Hannibal

Our optometry practice in Hannibal

Photograph of Calvin  Daack
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday By appointment only
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • MetLife
  • Spectera
  • United Healthcare
  • VSP

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(573) 248-1616