Glaucoma

Expert glaucoma treatment in Lubbock, TX. West Texas Eye Associates offers SLT laser, MIGS, iDose TR implants, tube shunts, and eye drop therapy for all stages of glaucoma.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that damages the optic nerve, often due to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). It can occur at any age but is most common in adults over 40.

The most common form—open-angle glaucoma—develops slowly, while angle-closure glaucoma can cause sudden eye pain and vision loss, requiring immediate care.

Other types include:

  • Normal-tension glaucoma (nerve damage despite normal pressure)

  • Secondary glaucoma (from injury or medications)

  • Congenital glaucoma (present from birth)

Because early glaucoma often does not exhibit symptoms, routine eye exams are crucial for early detection and prevention.

Glaucoma specialist performing SLT laser treatment at West Texas Eye Associates in Lubbock, TX.

Early Symptoms of Glaucoma

Recognizing glaucoma early helps prevent irreversible vision loss.

Common symptoms include:

  • Gradual loss of peripheral vision
  • Blurry or foggy vision
  • Halos around lights, especially at night
  • Eye pain, redness, or headache
  • Sudden vision changes (in acute cases)
    If you experience these warning signs, schedule an eye exam with our glaucoma specialists in Lubbock right away.

How Glaucoma Is Diagnosed

Comprehensive testing enables us to tailor your treatment and monitor its long-term effectiveness. Our doctors use diagnostic tools to detect glaucoma long before symptoms appear, including:

Tonometry - diagnostic tool used to measure eye pressure

OCT Imaging - uses near-infrared light to create detailed images of internal tissues

Visual Field Testing checks for blind spots

Gonioscopy performed at the slit lamp & requires a gonio lens to the surface of the eye

Pachymetry is a non-invasive ultrasonic technique for measuring corneal thickness

Personalized Glaucoma Management

Every patient’s eye anatomy, pressure tolerance, and lifestyle are different. Our eye surgeons create personalized glaucoma care plans that may combine medical, laser, and surgical options tailored to your eye care needs. Our goal is to prevent progression before vision loss occurs, preserve vision, reduce daily drops, and ensure comfort and quality of life.

Why Choose West Texas Eye Associates

Glaucoma is a lifelong condition, and choosing the right team can make all the difference. For decades, patients throughout Lubbock and the greater West Texas region have trusted our fellowship-trained glaucoma specialists for advanced, compassionate care tailored to every stage of the disease.

We stay at the forefront of innovation—offering modern techniques such as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), and iDose® TR sustained-release implants.

Our Lubbock surgical center is connected to our clinics, allowing you to receive both diagnosis and treatment in one location. This ensures your care team is with you every step of the way—from consultation through surgery and recovery—without the need for outside referrals or multiple visits to separate clinics or hospitals.

West Texas Eye Associates is proud to be a trusted name in vision care across the South Plains. Patients from Lubbock, Levelland, Plainview, and surrounding areas rely on our doctors for advanced glaucoma treatments delivered with hometown warmth and personalized attention.

Who’s at Risk for Glaucoma?

Glaucoma can affect anyone, but certain factors increase your chances of developing this sight-threatening eye disease.
You may be at higher risk for glaucoma if you:

  • Are over age 40, with risk increasing steadily after 60
  • Have a family history of glaucoma or optic nerve damage
  • Are of African American, Hispanic, or Asian descent
  • Have diabetes, hypertension, or severe nearsightedness (high myopia)
  • Use steroids long-term (such as for asthma or arthritis)
  • Have had a previous eye injury or surgery
  • Experience elevated eye pressure (high intraocular pressure) on exam

Because glaucoma often develops without early warning signs, regular comprehensive eye exams in Lubbock are the best way to detect changes in eye pressure, optic nerve health, and early glaucoma symptoms before permanent vision loss occurs.

If you’re searching for a glaucoma specialist near me, West Texas Eye Associates offers the most advanced glaucoma testing and treatment available in West Texas—including SLT laser therapy, MIGS, iDose® TR implants, and glaucoma eye drops for long-term control.

Living Well with Glaucoma

Living with glaucoma doesn’t mean losing your sight. With early detection, consistent glaucoma treatment, and lifestyle adjustments, most patients maintain clear vision for life. Daily glaucoma eye drops are often the first step in lowering eye pressure; however, advanced options such as SLT laser therapy, iDose TR sustained-release implants, and MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) can reduce or even eliminate the need for drops. Staying active, eating well, and managing blood pressure or diabetes all support optic nerve health. Avoiding heavy lifting or inverted yoga positions can prevent pressure spikes that worsen open-angle glaucoma.

Because glaucoma affects side vision, home safety matters too. Brighten walkways, add contrasting tape to stairs and doorways, and keep pathways clear to prevent falls. Practice “scanning”—slowly moving your head left to right before walking—to stay aware of obstacles. Regular visits with your glaucoma specialist in Lubbock ensure your treatment plan stays on track, whether that involves eye drops, laser therapy, MIGS, or tube shunt surgery. At West Texas Eye Associates, we combine advanced technology and compassionate care to help you protect your vision and live confidently with glaucoma.

Best Glaucoma Specialists in Lubbock

Don’t wait until vision loss occurs; early glaucoma treatment offers the best chance to protect your sight. We serve patients throughout Lubbock, Levelland, Plainview, and the greater West Texas region, providing comprehensive glaucoma care that includes diagnosis, medical management, and advanced surgical options under one roof.

Schedule Eye Exam online

Schedule Your Glaucoma Consultation

If you’ve been told you have high eye pressure, or you’ve noticed blurry or tunnel vision, contact West Texas Eye Associates for a complete glaucoma evaluation in Lubbock.

Frequently Asked Questions About Glaucoma

There is not yet a cure for glaucoma, but early detection can stop or slow the progression.

In glaucoma’s early stages, there are often no noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, patients may experience blurred vision, tunnel vision, or loss of peripheral (side) vision. Some people notice halos around lights or mild eye discomfort.

If you’ve been told you have high eye pressure, notice vision changes, or have a family history of glaucoma, it’s time to see a specialist. Early detection is key—especially if you’re over 40 or have diabetes or hypertension. Our glaucoma specialists in Lubbock provide advanced testing and treatment to protect your vision.

Yes. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and good control of blood pressure and diabetes can help preserve vision. Avoid activities that increase eye pressure, such as heavy lifting or inverted yoga, and maintain consistent use of prescribed eye drops or medications.

West Texas Eye Associates offers comprehensive glaucoma diagnosis and treatment for patients throughout Lubbock and the West Texas region.

People with glaucoma often describe their vision as looking through a narrow tunnel—sharp in the center but dark or hazy around the edges. In later stages, peripheral vision fades, leaving only a central “spotlight” of sight. These changes occur gradually, which is why early glaucoma testing and treatment are crucial.

Most types, like open-angle glaucoma, are not painful. However, angle-closure glaucoma can cause sudden eye pain, headache, blurred vision, nausea, or halos around lights. This is a medical emergency—seek immediate care if you experience these symptoms.

Locations

12210 Quaker Ave
Lubbock, TX 79424

Clinic

3611 50th St
Lubbock, TX 79413

Clinic

Doctors

Omar Shoukfeh, MD
Omar Shoukfeh, MD

Ophthalmologist, Glaucoma Surgeon

Zuhair M. Shihab, MD
Zuhair M. Shihab, MD

Ophthalmologist, Glaucoma Surgeon

Francis Soans, MD
Francis Soans, MD

Ophthalmologist, Glaucoma Surgeon