Bolt Eye Group · Glaucoma Care
Glaucoma testing and care that catches it early
Glaucoma slowly damages the optic nerve, usually without pain and without warning. We find it early with advanced OCT scans and manage it close to home.
TestingEye pressure, optic nerve and OCT
CareDrops, monitoring, surgeon referrals
OfficesAll five locations
What is glaucoma?
The “silent thief of sight.”
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the cable that carries what you see to your brain. Side vision usually goes first, so most people do not notice anything until a lot of nerve is lost. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be brought back, which is why early detection matters so much.
Open-angle glaucoma
The most common type. It develops slowly over years, often with higher eye pressure, and causes no symptoms early on.
Angle-closure glaucoma
The drainage angle of the eye narrows or closes. A sudden attack is an emergency. It can cause eye pain, headache, blurred vision and halos.
Normal-tension glaucoma
Optic nerve damage happens even though eye pressure measures in the normal range. Imaging is key to finding it.
Are you at risk?
Risk factors worth knowing.
If any of these apply to you, regular glaucoma checks are important.
- A parent, brother or sister with glaucoma
- Age over 60
- African American, Hispanic or Asian heritage
- High eye pressure or a thin cornea
- Diabetes or high blood pressure
- High nearsightedness or farsightedness
- Long-term steroid use, including eye drops, inhalers or pills
- A past eye injury
How we test
Testing that finds glaucoma early.
We check your eye pressure, examine the optic nerve and use OCT scans when your doctor recommends them. OCT uses light to measure the layers of the optic nerve and retina in fine detail.
- Nerve fiber scan: measures the nerve fiber layer around the optic nerve, where glaucoma damage shows up.
- Ganglion cell scan: measures the cells in the macula (the center of the retina) that glaucoma can thin early.
- Eye pressure and a close look at the optic nerve, plus side-vision testing and a check of the eye's drainage angle when your doctor needs them.
- With an in-office telehealth visit, your $39 imaging also includes two OCT glaucoma scans, one of the optic nerve and one of the macula. You take all your images home on a free, credit-card-size I-Scan Platinum Lifetime Baseline USB drive.
Treatment
If you have glaucoma, we help you keep the vision you have.
Treatment lowers eye pressure to protect the optic nerve. Most people start with prescription eye drops. We check your pressure and repeat your scans on a schedule so we can see if anything changes. If you need a laser or surgical treatment, we coordinate your care with a glaucoma surgeon and keep seeing you afterward.
Take your drops exactly as prescribed, even when your eyes feel fine. Glaucoma damage happens quietly, and skipped drops are one of the most common reasons it gets worse.
Questions
Glaucoma questions.
Can I tell if I have glaucoma?
Usually not. Most types cause no pain and no blur early on. Only an eye exam with pressure checks and optic nerve imaging can find it.
Is glaucoma curable?
There is no cure, and lost vision cannot be restored. But treatment can slow or stop further damage, and most people treated early keep useful vision for life.
Does Medicare cover glaucoma testing?
Medicare covers glaucoma exams for people at high risk, and medical visits to manage glaucoma. Call your office if you have questions about your plan.
Which doctors manage glaucoma?
All of our optometrists diagnose and manage glaucoma. Dr. Mary Elizabeth Brice in Canton and Dr. David Lopp in Lawrenceville have a special focus on it, and Dr. Quynh Ta sees glaucoma patients at many of our offices.
Five offices · Book online any time
Book a glaucoma check
Pick your office to book online, or call or text us. Same-day visits are available for red, painful or injured eyes, on the days each office is open.
575 Professional Dr Suite 100
Mon – Thu · 9 – 5
Every other Sat · 9 – 2 (by appointment)
678-993-2020
Book Lawrenceville
131 Upper Riverdale Rd
Thu & Fri · 8 – 5
770-994-9913
Book Riverdale
We accept VSP, EyeMed, Medicare and most major medical plans (BCBS, Aetna, UHC, Cigna, Humana), plus Davis, Spectera and other vision plans. HSA/FSA cards and CareCredit welcome.