Glaucoma

Man Smiling

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, which is the part of the eye that carries the images we see from the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is made up of 1.2 million nerve fibers (like an electric cable containing numerous wires). Glaucoma damages these nerve fibers, which can cause the development of peripheral vision loss.

West Georgia Eye Care Center was the first to offer selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in the Columbus area which is one of greatest advances in the surgical treatment of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Additionally, West Georgia Eye Care Center has fellowship- trained glaucoma specialists , Dr. Bret Crumpton and Dr. Casey Geringer , who enhance the sub-specialty care offered to patients with glaucoma.

Our ophthalmologists may tell you that you are at risk for glaucoma if you have one or more of the following risk factors (see your doctor for more specific details):

  • Elevated eye pressure
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Ethnicity
  • Advanced age
  • Certain optic nerve conditions
Chart Illustrating a Healthy Eye vs One With Glaucoma
Glaucoma and healthy eye detailed structure

Protect Yourself Against Glaucoma

The best way to protect yourself and your family members against vision loss from glaucoma is by having regular eye examinations for glaucoma at appropriate intervals.

Recommended intervals for a comprehensive eye evaluation are:

  • Age 20-29: every 3-5 years
  • Age 30-64: every 2-4 years
  • Age 65+: every 1 to 2 years

For more information visit: www.glaucoma-foundation.org

Introducing DURSYTA™

West Georgia Eye Care Center is proud to offer DURYSTA™, the first and only biodegradable time-release glaucoma implant. Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Patients can be a candidate for DURYSTA™. Prior to the development of this technology, patients using glaucoma drops often experienced great irritation. With DURYSTA™, our doctors can now directly administer the necessary glaucoma prescription drops inside the eye.  This provides our patients with a break from their topical drops and a better quality of life. DURYSTA™ consistently delivers medicine, over a period of several months, into the patient’s eye to help reduce high eye pressure. This new advanced treatment option will help doctors and patients better manage glaucoma.

Glaucoma Specialists

Bret Crumpton, O.D.

Casey C. Geringer, O.D.