Glaucoma

The WVU Eye Institute provides access to the largest group of glaucoma specialists in the state of West Virginia.

The WVU Eye Institute is the only tertiary referral center for glaucoma in the state of West Virginia.

Glaucoma is a group of conditions affecting the optic nerve, a cable-like bundle of fibers that connects the eye to the brain and makes it possible for you to see. Our specialists are trained in identifying multiple types of glaucoma and providing individualized, low-risk treatments based on each patient’s needs.

Glaucoma Symptoms

In patients with glaucoma, retinal nerve fibers of the optic nerve become damaged. Glaucoma typically causes no symptoms until advanced vision loss occurs. The nerve becomes thinner and thinner over time, leading to vision loss. Glaucoma is often referred to as “the silent thief of sight,” because most patients won’t have any symptoms in the early stages. In later stages, patients may have significant loss of their visual field.

There are some less common, rapidly occurring types of glaucoma (acute glaucoma) that may cause symptoms, including:

Blurred vision
Emergent vision loss
Eye pain
Eye redness
Headache
Nausea/vomiting

After evaluation, our specialists can diagnose a full spectrum of primary and secondary glaucoma types, including:

Acute angle closure glaucoma
Congenital glaucoma
Neovascular glaucoma
Pigmentary glaucoma
Primary open angle glaucoma
Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma
Uveitic glaucoma

Treatments and Services

WVU Eye Institute glaucoma specialists offer a full range of medical, laser, and surgical treatments.

Surgical treatment of glaucoma has expanded greatly over the past decade and has allowed our glaucoma specialists to tailor disease treatments based on individual patient needs to minimize risk and optimize outcomes.

We offer nearly all types of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, as well as more traditional trabeculectomy and tube shunt surgeries for more advanced cases.