Glaucoma Procedure

Explore advanced glaucoma surgery Shreveport options for enhanced vision and eye health. Glaucoma is a medical disease that affects the eye. Many times Glaucoma is associated with an increased pressure in the eye which can lead to damage in the optic nerve. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60 years old. Negative side effects, including blindness caused by glaucoma, can often be prevented using a course of early treatment – ask your ophthalmologist for more information.

Maintaining the best eye care health is Dr. Van Norman’s number one priority with all of his patients.

Here are some signs of an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack:

Vision becomes suddenly blurry
Severe eye pain develops
Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Seeing halos around lights

Types of Glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma

This is the most common form of glaucoma seen in patients. This type of glaucoma develops gradually as the eye slowly loses its ability to drain fluids and a buildup occurs, causing pressure in the eye and damage to the optic nerve. This type of glaucoma is painless; and because it doesn’t cause vision changes at first, it may go untreated until more serious side effects develop.

Some people can have optic nerves that are sensitive to normal eye pressure, meaning the risk of developing glaucoma is higher than average. Regular eye exams are important to find early signs of damage to their optic nerve.
Angle-closure glaucoma

This type of glaucoma happens when the iris blocks the drainage angle in the eye. When the drainage angle gets completely blocked, eye pressure rises very quickly in what is known as an acute attack. Contact an ophthalmologist immediately if you notice this type of eye pressure as it can quickly cause blindness.

Glaucoma Statistics

More than three million Americans are living with glaucoma, 2.7 million of whom-aged 40 and older-are affected by its most common form, open-angle glaucoma.

Glaucoma is fifteen times more likely to cause blindness in African Americans than in Caucasians.

Prescription eye drops could cut everyone’s risk of getting glaucoma in half. Glaucoma stent: a tiny device improving eye fluid drainage, reducing intraocular pressure for enhanced vision health.

TYPES OF GLAUCOMA PROCEDURES:

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery has become increasingly popular, with the most common type performed for primary open-angle glaucoma called a selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). This medical procedure is painless and takes 5 minutes, and easily performed in Dr. Van Norman’s office. Once the procedure is performed, the eye’s drainage system is altered in a way that the eye’s pressure is lowered.

After this procedure is completed, many patients respond well enough to be able to avoid or delay additional surgery. While it may take a few weeks to see the full pressure-lowering effect of this procedure, most (but not all) patients are able to gradually discontinue some post-surgery medications. Your doctor is the best judge of determining whether or not you will still need medication. Complications from laser eye surgery are minimal, which is why this procedure has become increasingly popular and some centers are recommending the use of laser procedures before trying other traditional methods.
Micro Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

MIGS is approved to be performed in conjunction with your cataracts surgery. These minimally invasive surgical devices are important to do the procedure with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.

Dr. Van Norman will be happy to talk with you in more detail about MIGS and cataract surgery during your consultation.

AFTER EFFECTS & RESULTS

Glaucoma laser surgery treatment is highly successful at slowing the progression of glaucoma and regulating eye pressure. Although glaucoma surgery can prevent further vision loss, damage that has already occurred as a result of untreated glaucoma is considered permanent and not reversible.

Patient Reviews

4.8

Based on 261 reviews

Update #2: After four business days, four phone calls, and stopping by in person, finally got a call back. No record in my chart that my symptoms were documented or cleared at all. No check for the one thing that absolutely needs to be checked before prescribing those drops. What a joke.

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Update: Doctor prescribed two different eye drops which both caused eye pain and severe blurry vision. I tried for nearly a week to get ahold of someone by phone about that, and I even stopped by in person after my calls were not returned, but the only info I could get from the doctor was "I wouldn't have prescribed them if I thought there would be an issue." No instructions on whether or not to discontinue them, no explanation about whether or not the side effects were expected or temporary, no guidance at all. Multiple messages left over multiple days, no calls returned. No confirmation that they even checked for what the paperwork for the drops warned that they needed to check for.

Spend your money elsewhere!

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The doctor was more interested in lecturing me about the perils of online glasses than listening to my actual symptoms and my reason for visiting in the first place. They did not give me a chance to explain what vision issues I was having before they rushed me through a standard exam and ushered me out. My issues remain unresolved.

They also insisted on calling in a prescription to an out-of-town pharmacy, which then charged me for shipping. I was given no choice to use my preferred pharmacy, so I can only conclude they somehow profit off that relationship. They also tried to have me pay an inflated in-person price for OTC eye treatment that I already owned.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.

Our goal at Shreveport Eye Specialists is to listen carefully to each patient’s concerns and provide clear explanations about exam findings and prescriptions. Sometimes adjustments to a prescription can take time for the eyes and brain to adapt, especially when there are changes that affect how objects appear or how near vision feels. That said, we always want our patients to feel heard and comfortable asking questions about their symptoms.

We would welcome the opportunity to review your concerns and make sure your vision needs are addressed. Please contact our office so we can discuss your experience and determine how we can help moving forward. Your feedback is important to us and helps us continue improving the care we provide.

Went in for eye exam, they said I needed cataract surgery. OK. Had surgery, reading vision improved waited appropriate time before getting new prescription. I was still having problems with distance so they did YAGS. Over 6 months later, still having distance problem. I worked 10 years with Visual Impaired students and do not trust them enough to go back.
Update: thanks to Dr. Borel for working with me and addressing my problems. Hopefully we are are the right track.

Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We were glad to have the opportunity to update your eye screening and to make an adjustment to your glasses.

If you have any additional concerns in the meantime, please feel free to contact our office and speak with our clinical team. Your vision and comfort are important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to continue caring for you.

Every time I have been here with an "appointment" I always still have to wait 45+ mins to been seen. They seem to always over book patients. I don't understand why they even make Appointments. They need a new appointment staff!!

Staff was very professional, kind, thorough and helpful! Looking forward to future visits!

Went on appointment to get a DBQ & Nexus letters done for VA claim and they wouldn't write my letter because they say they don't take my United healthcare or my VA medical insurance. Man what a kick in the teeth and I'm a USAF VETERAN that need the letter done buy doctor that diagnosed my condition. It's just a letter that the diagnosing doctor only can write. So out done, bad enough serving your country even worse when the eye doctor that diagnosed you and did your Lazer percedure want even write a letter on a piece of paper for you!!!!!!! PS(When I came to your office for a scheduled visit you should've just wrote me a Nexus letter for free just because I'm your patient and also a paying patient.The Nexus letter was your responsibility and used at va claims for va claims. You diagnosed my Glaucoma and did my Lazer percedure.It's sad that you told me to leave just because you no longer take my insurance.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback. First and foremost, we want to express our deep appreciation for your service. We truly value the opportunity to care for our veterans and are always honored to be part of their healthcare team.

To clarify, in order to accurately and ethically complete the paperwork you've requested—such as DBQ and Nexus letters—we are required to have a current eye exam on file. It's been several years since your last visit, and without an up-to-date exam, we cannot provide clinical documentation or forms related to your vision or eye condition.

While we are not currently in-network with your insurance, we would still be glad to see you and provide the care and updated records you need. Our goal is never to turn anyone away, but to ensure that any medical forms we complete are based on current, accurate evaluations.

We understand your frustration and would be happy to discuss your options if you'd like to schedule an updated exam. Please feel free to call our office—we're here to help.

Do not make the mistake of purchasing your glasses from 20/20 Optics at Shreveport Eye Specialists unless you are seeking absolute incompetence. In that case, look no further, for you have found the masters of remarkable ineptitude in the field of eyeglasses. Two months of back-and-forth with 20/20 Optics and I still have yet to receive the correct pair of glasses. 20/20 Optics has done everything except place an order for the correct combination of frames and lenses.

As a testament to 20/20 Optics' gross ineptitude, I am currently wearing their third failed attempt at ordering the correct glasses, and am eagerly awaiting the fourth attempt, which I dare say will also be a failure. What a challenge it must be to enter the correct numbers from the given prescription into the system and place the order. If somehow this remarkable feat is achieved, expect the lenses to be scratched. Spare yourself the (literal) headache of not being able to see due to 20/20 Optics!

Edit: If 20/20 Optics spent as much time working as they do responding to Google reviews, they would’ve made the glasses right the first time.

Response from the owner:We’re truly sorry to hear about your experience with our optical department. Our 5-star team strives to provide high-quality eyewear and attentive service, and it’s disappointing to know we did not meet your expectations.

We understand how important it is to receive glasses that fit comfortably and provide clear vision, and our staff has worked diligently to remake your lenses multiple times to ensure you are satisfied. While this process has taken longer than anticipated, please know our intention has always been to resolve the issue and provide you with eyewear that meets your needs.

We appreciate your feedback.

Haven't seen Dr. Van Norman in many years!! Started having issues and had no problem getting an appointment. His staff were very friendly and helpful. They all answered my questions and concerns.

Good honey white time. Good experience.

Dr. Van Norman & all of his staff members were excellent. My procedure: cataract removals & LASIX was completely pain free & I have terrific results. Thank you all!

Your Vision Is Our Focus!

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