Glaucoma Care at Santa Ana Optometry

Glaucoma sneaks up quietly—it's a condition that harms the optic nerve, often tied to pressure buildup in the eye, and can steal your vision if ignored. At Santa Ana Optometry in Santa Ana, California, we offer specialized care to detect, manage, and treat glaucoma. Dr. Thien-Thu Nguyen brings her expertise to every exam and treatment plan. We're all about spotting the signs, tailoring care to fit your life, and sticking with you to protect your sight.

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Why Glaucoma is Called the Silent Thief of Sight

Glaucoma often starts without any major signs; that's why over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, and half don't even know it, says the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Several factors contribute to this silent progression:

• Painless Development: It starts with no physical clues; Glaucoma develops without any discomfort.
• Gradual Vision Changes: The vision changes occur so slowly that they can be easily missed in the hustle of daily life.
• Subtle Peripheral Loss: It begins at the nasal edges of your sight, making it easy to overlook the early signs.
• One Eye Compensation: In most Glaucoma cases, one eye gets more affected. The other eye compensates for the affected eye and can easily mask the vision loss.
• Attribution to Aging: Although it is more common in seniors, subtle changes may be misattributed to aging, which is not always the case. Remember, glaucoma can affect anyone at any age.

It's always best to schedule your eye exam every year so doctors can detect it early and intervene to preserve your vision.

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Meet Dr. Nguyen

Dr. Thien-Thu Nguyen started her journey with a Biology degree from UC San Diego in 2001, then earned her Optometry Doctorate in Puerto Rico in 2005. That same year, she dove into real-world experience at a busy Southern California eye practice, getting hands-on with conditions like glaucoma. By 2008, she had founded Santa Ana Optometry, and she's been sharpening her skills ever since.

Dr. Nguyen is licensed to practice optometry, including using diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, performing lacrimal dilation and irrigation, and treating eye infections, eye injuries, eye inflammations, dry eyes, and glaucoma. Dr. Nguyen also provides management for post-operative cataract patients and LASIK.

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Comprehensive Glaucoma Eye Exams

Our glaucoma exams are thorough. We can assess your risk for and the presence of glaucoma using specialized eye exams, which can include tonometry, gonioscopy, visual field testing, and optic nerve imaging.

• Tonometry to check eye pressure (12-22 mmHg as normal; over 20 might raise a flag).
• Ophthalmoscopy to view the back of the eye (fundus) and other structures within the eye.
• Gonioscopy to examine the eye's drainage angle.
• Visual field testing for assessing your peripheral vision.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to get a detailed peek at your nerve layers.

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Treatments Tailored to You

Treatment often starts with prescription eye drops, such as prostaglandin analogs or beta-blockers, which reduce pressure by improving fluid drainage or decreasing fluid production in the eye. Dr. Nguyen adjusts them based on patient response—some may need one drop daily, while others require multiple types. For more advanced cases, she may refer patients to specialists for laser treatments, like selective laser trabeculoplasty, or surgery, such as trabeculectomy, to enhance drainage. Alongside medical options, patients receive advice on lifestyle factors, including regular exercise to improve blood flow and avoiding smoking, which can worsen eye health. The focus is on finding an effective plan for each individual to maintain their vision.

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Ongoing Monitoring

Glaucoma doesn't quit, so neither do we. We recommend regular follow-up visits based on the severity of each patient's case. These are typically repeated every 3 to 6 months or more if adjustments are needed. We will re-run tests to spot changes, like if your pressure jumps from 18 to 25 mmHg, prompting a tweak in your plan. Stick to the schedule. Our staff can help with scheduling and reminders.

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Schedule Your Glaucoma Eye Exam with Santa Ana Optometry

Ready to check your eyes or keep glaucoma in line? Call us at (714) 662-7969 or schedule online to book a meeting with Dr. Nguyen. We're here in Santa Ana, California, ready to help with initial exams or ongoing treatment; our team can assist with your eye health needs.