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Patient LoginGlaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide — and it usually develops without symptoms. My Eye Consultants offers comprehensive glaucoma diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment in Chandler, AZ. Optometric management with Dr. Andrew Lu, OD plus surgical consultation with Dr. Luis Lu, MD, FACS when needed — in one practice, with one shared chart.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve — the cable of nerve fibers that carries images from the eye to the brain. Most cases involve elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), though glaucoma can also develop with normal pressure.
The reason glaucoma is so dangerous is that vision loss from it is permanent. Once optic nerve fibers are damaged, they don't regenerate. But here's the encouraging part: with proper monitoring and treatment, most glaucoma patients preserve their vision for life. The disease is highly manageable when caught early — which is why this is one of the most important reasons to keep up with comprehensive eye exams.
At My Eye Consultants, glaucoma care is built around long-term continuity. Dr. Andrew Lu manages most patients medically with regular monitoring and medication. Dr. Luis Lu provides surgical consultation when intervention becomes appropriate. Both doctors share one practice and one shared chart — so the disease is watched closely without anything getting lost between providers.
The most common form — primary open-angle glaucoma — develops without pain, without redness, and without obvious vision changes. Patients lose peripheral vision so gradually that the brain compensates for it. By the time vision loss becomes noticeable, significant optic nerve damage has already occurred and cannot be reversed. A comprehensive eye exam with optic nerve imaging is the only reliable way to catch glaucoma before symptoms appear.
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but certain factors significantly increase risk. If one or more of these apply to you, regular eye exams with optic nerve evaluation are critical — ideally annually after age 40, and more often if multiple risk factors stack.
Glaucoma risk rises sharply after age 60 — and even earlier for African American patients (who face elevated risk starting in their 40s).
If a parent or sibling has glaucoma, your risk is 4 to 9 times higher than the general population. Genetic predisposition is one of the strongest risk factors.
African Americans face significantly higher risk of open-angle glaucoma at earlier ages. Hispanic patients face elevated risk after age 60 — an important consideration for our East Valley community.
Diabetes roughly doubles glaucoma risk. High blood pressure, low blood pressure, and reduced ocular blood flow all play a role in disease progression. If you have diabetes, see our diabetic eye care program.
Patients with thin central corneas, narrow drainage angles, severe nearsightedness, or severe farsightedness all carry elevated glaucoma risk.
Long-term use of corticosteroid medications (oral, inhaled, or topical) can elevate intraocular pressure and raise glaucoma risk. A medication review is part of every evaluation.
No single test diagnoses glaucoma. The condition is identified by combining several measurements that, together, reveal what's happening to your optic nerve. A comprehensive glaucoma workup typically takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Intraocular pressure measurement — the foundational glaucoma test. Pressure above 21 mmHg is one of the strongest risk indicators.
Optical coherence tomography produces high-resolution images of the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer — the gold standard for detecting structural damage early.
An automated test that maps your peripheral vision and detects functional vision loss patterns characteristic of glaucoma damage.
Examination of the drainage angle inside the eye, using a specialized lens. This distinguishes open-angle from angle-closure glaucoma — critical for treatment selection.
Measurement of central corneal thickness, which affects how intraocular pressure readings are interpreted. Thin corneas elevate true risk.
Glaucoma treatment progresses through tiers based on how well the disease responds. Most patients are managed effectively at the medication level for years; some progress to laser or surgical options. We start with the least invasive option that controls the disease.
Prescription eye drops that lower intraocular pressure by either reducing fluid production or improving drainage. The standard first-line treatment for most glaucoma patients — effective for years when used consistently.
When medications alone don't adequately control pressure, or when patients prefer to reduce medication burden, laser treatments offer an effective next step. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is increasingly used as a first-line alternative to drops.
For glaucoma that progresses despite medications and laser, surgical options offer durable pressure control. Modern minimally invasive techniques (MIGS) have dramatically improved safety and recovery for many patients.
Glaucoma is one of the conditions where the dual-provider model matters most. The disease typically requires decades of monitoring with occasional escalation. Having an OD and an MD in the same practice means that monitoring stays continuous and any escalation is seamless.
For the vast majority of glaucoma patients, ongoing care is best delivered by an optometrist with subspecialty knowledge of glaucoma. Dr. Andrew Lu handles diagnosis, monitoring, medication management, and routine follow-up. When the disease progresses or surgical intervention becomes appropriate, you don't need to find a new doctor — Dr. Luis Lu, MD, FACS is already in the same practice with full access to your history.
Handles diagnosis, baseline workup, medication management, and ongoing monitoring — including OCT imaging, visual field testing, and regular pressure checks. The doctor you see for most of your glaucoma care.
Provides surgical consultation, laser treatments, and surgical procedures when medical management isn't enough. Brings 45+ years of ophthalmic experience to complex cases.
Glaucoma is permanent — which means monitoring is permanent. The frequency depends on how stable the disease is, how aggressive its progression has been, and how recently anything has changed.
Newly diagnosed patients, those changing medications, or patients showing progression are seen every 3 months until stability is established.
The standard cadence for the majority of glaucoma patients — stable disease, well-controlled pressure, no recent medication changes.
Patients with years of stable glaucoma, controlled pressure, and no visual field progression may extend to annual full workups with interval pressure checks.
Glaucoma is a group of progressive eye diseases that damage the optic nerve — the cable of nerve fibers that carries images from the eye to the brain. Most cases involve elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), though glaucoma can also occur with normal pressure. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, which is why early detection and ongoing monitoring matter so much. With proper management, most patients can preserve their vision for life.
There are usually no early signs. The most common form of glaucoma (primary open-angle glaucoma) is painless and progresses slowly over years. By the time a patient notices vision changes — typically loss of peripheral vision or tunnel vision — significant and irreversible optic nerve damage has already occurred. This is why a comprehensive eye exam with optic nerve imaging is the only reliable way to catch glaucoma early.
Risk factors include age over 60, family history of glaucoma, African American or Hispanic ancestry, diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated intraocular pressure, thin central corneas, severe nearsightedness or farsightedness, and use of long-term corticosteroid medications. Anyone with one or more risk factors should be screened regularly even without symptoms.
Glaucoma diagnosis requires a comprehensive workup including intraocular pressure measurement (tonometry), optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer, automated visual field testing to map functional vision loss, gonioscopy to evaluate the drainage angle, and central corneal thickness measurement (pachymetry). No single test is sufficient — the diagnosis depends on the full picture.
There is no cure for glaucoma, and vision already lost cannot be restored. However, glaucoma can be managed very effectively. With the right combination of treatments — typically starting with prescription eye drops to lower intraocular pressure, and progressing to laser or surgical options if needed — most patients preserve their vision for life. The goal is to stop further damage from occurring.
Most glaucoma patients are managed long-term by an optometrist (OD) — including diagnosis, monitoring, medication management, and ongoing care. An ophthalmologist (MD) is needed when surgical or laser intervention is being considered. At My Eye Consultants, Dr. Andrew Lu, OD manages most patients medically, while Dr. Luis Lu, MD, FACS provides surgical consultation and procedures when needed. Both doctors share the same practice, so the transition between medical and surgical care happens seamlessly.
Most glaucoma patients are seen every 3 to 6 months for monitoring, depending on how stable their disease is and how aggressive their progression has been. Stable patients with well-controlled pressure may extend to every 6 to 12 months. Newly diagnosed patients and those changing medications are typically followed more frequently until stability is established.
Glaucoma evaluation, monitoring, and treatment are medical eye care and are typically billed to medical insurance (not vision insurance). Most major medical insurance plans, including Medicare, cover glaucoma care including diagnostic imaging, visual field testing, and medications. Our front office verifies coverage before your visit so you have clarity on what's covered.
Schedule a comprehensive glaucoma workup at My Eye Consultants. Early detection is the single most important factor in preserving long-term vision.