Glaucoma Treatment in Downtown Seattle

Glaucoma Treatment in Downtown Seattle

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

(206) 464-0472

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. Broadway Vision 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 Broadway Vision, 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 Downtown Seattle


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 Broadway Vision in Downtown Seattle 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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286 Reviews
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- Aug. 30, 2024
I was in town and had a minor emergency and Broadway Vision went out of their way to help me out on ... short notice. I really appreciated how friendly everyone was, and they helped me out even though I don’t live here and am not a customer. Lovely storefront and staff. Thank you again for your help!
- Aug. 14, 2024
Had an eye exam and fitted for contacts. Great service, paid attention to the details and my optome... trist wanted me to have the perfect vision I need for my work.
- Aug. 04, 2024
I've been going here for years and I am always impressed with the level of care and great customer s... ervice!
- Jul. 23, 2024
I trust the doctors and the staff provide great service !!
- Jul. 16, 2024
(Translated by Google) Really friendly and quick replacement of broken rubber Located nearby Starbox... R* (Original) 정말 친절하고 신속하게 이탈된 rubber를 교체해줌 스타박스 R*근거리에 위치한
- Jul. 11, 2024
Ken and Dr. Ravuri were great! Very thorough and friendly! Been going here for years.
- Jul. 10, 2024
Professional staff and high quality service!
- Jun. 20, 2024
Fast friendly knowledgeable staff.
- Jun. 06, 2024
I have greatly appreciated the excellent care of Broadway Vision Source since I got my first ever gl... asses here eight years or so ago and being talked through the whole process by now retired professionals. However, I am disheartened to overhear that there is new ownership on the wind looking to get rid of the ability to have lenses made/managed in-house. Must new ownership always mean removing peoples incomes, skillsets, and tools from a very successful and respected business? For what, the sake of macro economic business efficiency at the cost of customer care, quality control, and delays? Would seriously hate to come back in a year and have to find a new one-stop optometrist because I’m dealing with new ownership milking a business for nickels at the cost of their employees day to day experience and My Experience as a patient. I’ll without my judgment until the day comes, but the worry remains. My thanks to the staff here, a business is just a name and a room without you.
- May. 30, 2024
Shared results in email and with PCP. Comprehensive and informative exam.
- May. 30, 2024
It was friendly and pretty quick to see the doctor.
- May. 16, 2024
I have been a patient of Dr. Matsunami for decades…he is an amazing healer! The staff at Broadway... Vision is top notch, friendly, and professional. You couldn’t ask for better eye care in the Seattle area.
- May. 02, 2024
Professional staff and very friendly and helpful as well. As a costumer I am very satisfied with the... ir service and will continue to visit them for years to come.
- Apr. 24, 2024
Perfect, on-time as always.
- Apr. 01, 2024
Everyone is so nice and helpful! Jason was a super big help getting thru the glasses process.
- Mar. 06, 2024
Great experience. I felt heard and had a thorough exam from very caring professionals. And I got a g... reat new pair of glasses!!!
- Feb. 20, 2024
Such a great experience, was quick and thorough and everyone was super nice. Will definitely go here... from now on for my vision needs.
- Feb. 20, 2024
Dr. Matsunami has been my eye provider for over 30 years. He is simply the BEST! The equipments in... the store are excellent, too. I highly recommend this place.
- Feb. 13, 2024
I could not be happier with Dr Matsunami and everyone who works at Broadway Vision Source. I’ve be... en going there for 10+ years, and every experience has been great. Highly recommend!!
- Jan. 31, 2024
I’ve been going to Broadway Vision Source for eye exams and new glasses every year for 15 years an... d consistently have a great experience! Everyone in the office is friendly and knowledgeable and I especially appreciate the extra help picking out frames since I’m blind as a bat without my prescription lenses. For some context, I’ve been wearing glasses for 35 years and I can honestly say that Broadway Vision Source has provided the best service of anywhere I have trusted with my eyes!

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Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Downtown Seattle

Our optometry practice in Downtown Seattle

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Hours
  • Monday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • EyeMed
  • VSP
  • Regence
  • Premera Blue Cross
  • Cigna
  • First Choice Health
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • HMA
  • Regence Group Administrators
  • Meritain Health

glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

(206) 464-0472