Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss, and it often develops with no early warning signs. Because the vision it takes cannot be restored, catching glaucoma early and managing it consistently is one of the most important things you can do to protect your eyesight for the long term.
At Overlake EyeCare, we provide glaucoma screening, diagnosis, and ongoing management at our Bellevue office, serving patients throughout Bellevue and the surrounding Eastside. This guide explains what glaucoma is, who is at risk, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated, so patients from neighborhoods like Crossroads, Bridle Trails, Lake Hills, and Downtown Bellevue can stay ahead of it close to home.
Key Takeaways
- Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, often linked to elevated pressure inside the eye.
- The most common form usually has no early symptoms, so regular eye exams are the main way it is caught.
- Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be recovered, but treatment can slow or prevent further loss when started early.
- Treatment often begins with eye drops, and may include laser treatment or surgery, along with lifelong monitoring.
- Our Bellevue office is at 1837 156th Ave NE, Suite A201, Bellevue, WA 98007. Call or text (425) 643-2020.
- We serve patients across Bellevue, including Crossroads, Lake Hills, Bridle Trails, Downtown Bellevue, Wilburton, BelRed, and the Overlake area, in ZIP codes 98004, 98005, 98006, 98007, and 98008.
1. What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma refers to a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage is often related to higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye, though glaucoma can also occur when eye pressure is in the normal range.
As the optic nerve is damaged, blind spots develop in your field of vision. In the most common form, this happens so gradually that many people do not notice until a significant amount of vision has been affected. That is why glaucoma is sometimes called a silent condition, and why routine eye exams are so important.
2. Types of Glaucoma
- Open-angle glaucoma. The most common type. It develops slowly as the eye’s drainage system becomes less efficient over time, raising eye pressure gradually. It usually has no pain or early symptoms.
- Angle-closure glaucoma. Less common, and it can develop suddenly. An acute attack can cause severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights, and it is a medical emergency that needs prompt care.
- Normal-tension glaucoma. Optic nerve damage that occurs even though eye pressure stays within the normal range.
- Secondary glaucoma. Glaucoma that develops as a result of another condition, an injury, or certain medications.
3. Risk Factors and Symptoms
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but some factors raise the risk. These include being over 60, a family history of glaucoma, higher eye pressure, diabetes, significant nearsightedness, and certain ancestries that carry higher risk for particular types of glaucoma.
The most common form typically has no symptoms in its early stages, which is why regular exams matter so much for people at higher risk. Warning signs that do call for prompt attention include sudden eye pain, headache with nausea, blurred vision, or halos around lights, which can point to an acute angle-closure attack and should be treated as an emergency.
4. How Glaucoma Is Diagnosed
Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive eye exam using several tests that look at eye pressure and the health of the optic nerve:
- Eye pressure testing. Measures the pressure inside the eye.
- Optic nerve evaluation. A close look at the optic nerve, often through a dilated exam, for signs of damage.
- Visual field testing. Maps your side and central vision to find blind spots.
- Imaging. Detailed scans of the optic nerve and retina that can reveal early changes and track them over time.
Because glaucoma is monitored over the long term, these tests are often repeated at intervals so any change can be caught and addressed early.
5. Glaucoma Treatment and Ongoing Management
There is no cure for glaucoma, and damage that has already happened cannot be reversed. The goal of treatment is to lower eye pressure enough to slow or stop further damage and protect the vision you have. Many people keep their sight for life when glaucoma is caught early and managed consistently.
- Eye drops. Prescription drops that lower eye pressure are often the first treatment and a mainstay of ongoing care.
- Laser treatment. A laser procedure can help the eye drain fluid more effectively and lower pressure.
- Surgery. When drops and laser are not enough, various surgical options can improve drainage and control pressure.
Whatever the approach, glaucoma care is ongoing. Regular follow-up visits check that eye pressure is controlled and that the condition is stable over time.
6. Glaucoma Care Across Bellevue
Our Bellevue office provides glaucoma screening and management for patients from neighborhoods across the city and the nearby Eastside. Patients come to us from Crossroads and Northeast Bellevue, Bridle Trails and Northwest Bellevue, Lake Hills, Downtown Bellevue, and the Wilburton, BelRed, and Overlake areas.
The office is in ZIP code 98007, and patients also visit from Bellevue ZIP codes 98004, 98005, 98006, and 98008, along with other nearby Eastside areas. Because glaucoma care means regular monitoring visits, a nearby office makes it easier to stay consistent with follow-up.
7. Visiting Our Bellevue Office
Overlake EyeCare’s Bellevue office is at 1837 156th Ave NE, Suite A201, Bellevue, WA 98007, in the Crossroads and Northeast Bellevue area. The office is easy to reach from Crossroads, Lake Hills, the Overlake area, Bridle Trails, BelRed, and Downtown Bellevue.
To schedule a glaucoma screening or a comprehensive eye exam, call or text (425) 643-2020. If you have a family history of glaucoma or other risk factors, our team can help you set up appropriate monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the early signs of glaucoma?
The most common form of glaucoma usually has no early symptoms, which is why regular eye exams are so important. Sudden eye pain, headache with nausea, blurred vision, or halos around lights can signal an acute angle-closure attack and should be treated as an emergency.
Can glaucoma be cured?
There is no cure, and vision already lost cannot be restored. However, treatment can slow or prevent further vision loss, and many people keep their sight for life when glaucoma is caught early and managed consistently.
How is glaucoma treated?
Treatment usually starts with prescription eye drops to lower eye pressure, and may include laser treatment or surgery. Glaucoma care is ongoing, with regular follow-up visits to confirm that eye pressure is controlled.
Where can I get glaucoma treatment near Crossroads in Bellevue?
Overlake EyeCare’s Bellevue office is at 1837 156th Ave NE, Suite A201, Bellevue, WA 98007, in the Crossroads and Northeast Bellevue area, and provides glaucoma screening and management throughout Bellevue. Call or text (425) 643-2020 to schedule.
How often should I be checked for glaucoma?
That depends on your age and risk factors. People with a family history of glaucoma, higher eye pressure, or other risk factors often need more frequent monitoring. Your eye doctor can recommend the right schedule for you.
Conclusion: Protecting Your Vision From Glaucoma in Bellevue
Glaucoma does not have to mean losing your vision. With early detection, consistent treatment, and regular monitoring, most people keep their sight for years to come. The key is catching it early and staying on top of care over time.
Overlake EyeCare has served the Eastside for over 40 years with both ophthalmology and optometry at our Bellevue office. If you live in Crossroads, Bridle Trails, Lake Hills, Downtown Bellevue, the Overlake area, or elsewhere in Bellevue, call or text (425) 643-2020 to schedule your visit.
