How can you tell if you have glaucoma, and what are the available treatment options?

Ophthalmology
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I never thought much about my eyes. I had the usual occasional headaches, but I chalked it up to stress from work or late nights. It wasn’t until a routine eye checkup that I learned I had glaucoma, and it completely changed how I approach my eye health.

Here’s my story and how I found SNU Eye Clinic and Dr. Chung Eui Sang, who have helped me manage my glaucoma.

The Early Warning Signs I Ignored

It all started with what I thought was eye strain. For months, I was experiencing slight headaches and occasional blurred vision, particularly around the edges of my field of vision. But I had never heard of glaucoma and wasn’t aware that these could be signs.

I also noticed my night vision was getting worse — something I thought was just a natural part of aging. It didn’t help that I had a stressful work schedule, so I just dismissed these symptoms. However, my family kept urging me to get a full eye exam.

Discovering Glaucoma at SNU Eye Clinic

After hearing a lot of positive feedback from friends and online forums about SNU Eye Clinic, I decided to make an appointment with Dr. Chung Eui Sang (his profile here). From the moment I walked into the clinic, I was impressed by the professionalism of the staff and the advanced equipment they had for diagnosing eye conditions.

Dr. Chung conducted a thorough eye exam, including tests for intraocular pressure (IOP), a visual field test, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). After reviewing my results, Dr. Chung diagnosed me with early-stage open-angle glaucoma, a condition that can damage the optic nerve and affect vision.

What Are the Signs of Glaucoma?

It’s easy to miss the signs of glaucoma, especially in the early stages. Here are some common warning signs I now know to watch for:

  1. Gradual loss of peripheral vision: This was one of my first symptoms — it wasn’t immediately noticeable, but I began having difficulty seeing objects out of the corners of my eyes.
  2. Tunnel vision: As the disease progresses, it can narrow your field of vision, almost like you’re looking through a tunnel.
  3. Blurred vision or difficulty seeing at night: These were also symptoms I was experiencing, but I assumed they were related to my long work hours.
  4. Eye pain or headaches: Although I had occasional headaches, I didn’t connect them to my eye health. It wasn’t until my eye pressure was measured that I understood how connected they were.

Treatment Options for Glaucoma

Dr. Chung explained to me that glaucoma can’t be cured, but it can be controlled with the right treatment. Here are the options he recommended for me:

  1. Medications: My treatment plan began with eye drops to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP). These are usually the first line of defense and help prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
  2. Laser Therapy: Since my glaucoma is in the early stages, Dr. Chung suggested I might benefit from a procedure called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). It helps to increase fluid drainage in the eye and lower IOP.
  3. Surgical Options: In more advanced cases, surgery might be required, but Dr. Chung assured me that with early detection, I could manage my condition with the right combination of medication and laser therapy.

Why I Recommend Dr. Chung & SNU Eye Clinic

After my diagnosis, I felt overwhelmed, but Dr. Chung was incredibly patient and explained everything clearly. He took the time to answer all my questions and assured me that with consistent treatment and regular follow-ups, I could prevent further damage. He also gave me some great lifestyle advice on managing glaucoma, including regular exercise and controlling my blood pressure.

Final Thoughts

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms I mentioned or if you just want to get checked, I highly recommend visiting SNU Eye Clinic. Dr. Chung Eui Sang is an expert in glaucoma and other eye conditions, and the clinic uses the latest technology for accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.

If I hadn’t gone in for that routine eye checkup, I may not have caught my condition early, and I could have faced more severe consequences down the road. Early detection and treatment really are key!

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I had no idea I was developing glaucoma until I went in for a routine eye exam. I wasn’t experiencing any pain—just some blurry vision and trouble adjusting to dim light. It turns out those were early signs. I’m so thankful I found SNU Eye Clinic in Seoul. Dr. Chung Eui Sang (profile) did a comprehensive exam using advanced imaging and pressure tests, confirming I had early-stage glaucoma. He explained my options clearly—from medicated eye drops to laser treatment and even MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) if needed in the future. With regular check-ups and proper care, I’ve been able to manage it well. If you’re concerned about glaucoma or just overdue for an eye exam, I highly recommend SNU Eye Clinic (snuseoulglobal.com)—they truly caught mine just in time.

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I want to share my personal experience with glaucoma because I know many people go through the same confusion and worry before getting a proper diagnosis. Glaucoma can sneak up on you, and at first, I didn’t even know I had it. Here’s how I discovered it, and how SNU Eye Clinic and Dr. Chung Eui Sang helped me navigate my treatment.

:face_with_monocle: The First Signs:

I had always been someone who took care of my health, so when I started noticing some unusual symptoms, I didn’t ignore them. At first, I noticed I was squinting more often, especially when reading small text. My vision seemed slightly blurred at times, but it was nothing too severe. I just brushed it off as fatigue or maybe just needing new glasses.

But then, one day, I realized something strange—I couldn’t see as well out of the corners of my eyes. It felt like I was seeing through a tunnel, and my peripheral vision seemed to be narrowing. That’s when I started to worry, especially since I had heard about glaucoma being related to vision loss.

:hospital: Getting Diagnosed:

I scheduled an eye exam, and that’s when I first heard the word glaucoma. At SNU Eye Clinic, I was seen by Dr. Chung Eui Sang, who immediately put my mind at ease. He explained that glaucoma is a group of eye conditions where high intraocular pressure (IOP) damages the optic nerve, and it often has no early symptoms. That’s why it’s called the “silent thief of sight.”

Dr. Chung performed a series of tests, including measuring my IOP, examining my optic nerve, and doing a visual field test. It turned out that I had early-stage open-angle glaucoma, one of the most common types. I was relieved to have caught it early, but I also learned that glaucoma could progress without noticeable symptoms until it’s too late.

:pill: Treatment Options:

Dr. Chung explained that there are a few treatment options for glaucoma, and the goal is to lower IOP to prevent further damage to the optic nerve.

  1. Medications (Eye Drops): The first line of defense in my treatment plan was eye drops. These help to reduce eye pressure. I was prescribed medication that I had to use daily, and Dr. Chung explained the importance of being consistent with it.
  2. Laser Treatment: If medication wasn’t enough to control my eye pressure, laser therapy would be the next step. This helps to improve fluid drainage from the eye, lowering pressure. Dr. Chung specifically mentioned that Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a common option for patients like me.
  3. Surgical Options: In more advanced cases, surgery might be required. This can involve creating a new drainage channel to help fluid leave the eye more effectively. Luckily, my condition was still manageable with medication and laser treatments.

:health_worker: Why SNU Eye Clinic?

Dr. Chung’s thorough approach to my diagnosis and treatment options gave me confidence that I was in the right place. Here’s why I recommend SNU Eye Clinic:

  1. Expert Care: Dr. Chung Eui Sang is a highly experienced ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma and other eye conditions. He takes the time to explain each step of the process, which helped me feel comfortable and informed about my treatment options.
  2. Comprehensive Diagnostics: The clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. Dr. Chung was able to perform several tests that helped him get a clear picture of my eye health and the extent of my glaucoma.
  3. Personalized Treatment Plan: Unlike some clinics where you might feel like you’re just another patient, SNU Eye Clinic gave me a treatment plan that was tailored to my specific condition. Dr. Chung didn’t rush the process and made sure I understood all the possible treatment options.
  4. Laser & Surgical Options: SNU Eye Clinic is known for its advanced treatment options, including SLT laser treatments. They offer cutting-edge therapies to help manage glaucoma effectively.

:light_bulb: Why You Should Get Checked Early:

One of the most important things I learned from Dr. Chung is that early detection is key. Glaucoma often doesn’t show symptoms until it’s too late, which is why regular eye exams are crucial, especially if you have risk factors such as a family history of glaucoma or are over 40.

:globe_with_meridians: SNU Eye Clinic - Where to Go for Glaucoma Treatment:

If you’re concerned about glaucoma or any other eye issues, I highly recommend visiting SNU Eye Clinic. Their expertise in glaucoma treatment, along with their compassionate care, made all the difference for me. You can find more information about their services and Dr. Chung Eui Sang here:

:man_health_worker: Dr. Chung Eui Sang’s Profile :globe_with_meridians: SNU Eye Clinic Website

:glowing_star: Final Thoughts:

Having glaucoma doesn’t have to be a scary experience if you catch it early. With the right treatment and regular follow-ups, you can manage the condition and protect your vision. SNU Eye Clinic and Dr. Chung are experts in glaucoma care, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the care I received. If you’re experiencing any of the signs of glaucoma or just need an eye check-up, don’t hesitate to reach out to them. It’s worth it to get your eyes checked as soon as possible!

Let me know if you have any more questions about glaucoma or my experience at SNU Eye Clinic!

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A few months ago, I started noticing something strange—my peripheral vision was getting a bit blurry. At first, I thought I was just tired, or maybe my eyesight was just getting worse as I got older. But when I started bumping into things on my side, and realized it wasn’t just my imagination, I decided to see a specialist.

I did some research on vision problems in Seoul and came across Gangnam Joeunnun Vision Clinic. Their reputation for treating serious eye conditions, including glaucoma, was something I couldn’t ignore, and I made an appointment with Dr. Kim Jun-heon, a highly regarded expert in the field.

How Can You Tell if You Have Glaucoma?

At my first consultation, Dr. Kim explained that glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight” because it doesn’t present obvious symptoms until it’s advanced. Glaucoma typically causes gradual vision loss, starting with your peripheral vision, just as I was experiencing.

Common symptoms to watch out for include:

  • Blurry or reduced peripheral vision (like what I was noticing)
  • Severe eye pain or headache (I didn’t have this, but some people do)
  • Nausea or vomiting (this can happen with acute angle-closure glaucoma, which is rarer)
  • Seeing halos around lights (another symptom that could show up)

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to see an eye specialist right away, because early diagnosis is key to preventing further damage.

:stethoscope: Diagnostic Tests

When I got to Joeunnun Vision Clinic, Dr. Kim recommended a couple of tests to check for glaucoma:

  1. Tonometry – This test measures eye pressure. High pressure can be a key indicator of glaucoma.
  2. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – This advanced imaging technique creates detailed cross-sections of the optic nerve and retina, helping detect early signs of glaucoma.
  3. Visual field test – This checks for any vision loss, which can help confirm whether glaucoma is affecting your sight.

After all the tests, Dr. Kim confirmed that I was showing early signs of open-angle glaucoma, the most common form. Thankfully, it was caught early, which means I had plenty of options to manage it.

Treatment Options for Glaucoma

Dr. Kim explained that treatment options for glaucoma depend on the type and severity. In my case, since it was caught early, I was able to start with medication to help lower my eye pressure. These usually come in the form of eye drops (the most common treatment). In some cases, oral medication might be added.

For more advanced cases, laser therapy or surgery could be options. These methods are designed to either reduce eye pressure or improve fluid drainage from the eye to prevent further damage to the optic nerve.

  • Laser trabeculoplasty is a common option to improve the drainage of the eye’s fluid.
  • Trabeculectomy (surgery) is used in more severe cases to create a new drainage route.

Luckily, since my condition was still manageable, Dr. Kim started me on a treatment plan that involved regular check-ups and monitoring. He was very reassuring and detailed about everything.

:man_health_worker: Why I Recommend Gangnam Joeunnun Vision Clinic

If you’re ever worried about glaucoma or any other serious eye condition, I can’t recommend Joeunnun Vision Clinic highly enough. Dr. Kim Jun-heon and his team are incredibly thorough and professional. The clinic’s advanced diagnostic technology, like the OCT and visual field tests, gave me peace of mind, knowing they were using the best tools available to treat my condition.

You can learn more about Dr. Kim’s experience and book an appointment here: Dr. Kim Jun-heon.

TL;DR: If you notice blurry peripheral vision or any other unusual eye symptoms, it’s important to see an eye specialist. Glaucoma is often silent but treatable, especially if caught early. At Gangnam Joeunnun Vision Clinic, I was able to get the right diagnosis and start treatment right away. Highly recommend Dr. Kim for anyone concerned about their eye health!

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Glaucoma is tricky because it often develops silently—you might not notice symptoms until it has already affected your vision. Early signs can include loss of peripheral vision, eye pressure, or even blurred vision, but many people don’t feel anything at all in the early stages.

The best way to catch it early is through a comprehensive eye exam, which includes checking eye pressure and inspecting the optic nerve. Clinics like Jryn Eye Clinic in Korea offer these detailed exams using advanced imaging tech.

As for treatments, it depends on the type and severity. Options usually include:

  • Prescription eye drops to lower eye pressure
  • Oral medications
  • Laser therapy
  • In some cases, surgery to improve fluid drainage

Early detection is key, so regular check-ups are super important—especially if you have a family history of glaucoma.