What You Should Know
At Pepose Vision Institute, we believe that the best glaucoma patient is an informed glaucoma patient. Compare our experience, skills and service to other providers. You'll see why we're leading the way in glaucoma diagnosis and management, both in the bi-state region and in the entire United States.  SO

If you want to preserve your functional vision for a lifetime, ask your glaucoma doctor if:
  • He uses the most advanced early detection glaucoma testing equipment?
  (See our answer
  • He knows why measuring eye pressure is not a foolproof way to detect glaucoma?
  (See our answer
  • Other doctors recommend him?
  (See our answer
  • He understands that medication options to treat glaucoma may not always be patient-friendly?
  (See our answer
  • He does more than glaucoma?
  (See our answer
  • He can offer you a "cold" laser treatment if medically indicated?
  (See our answer
  • He's directly involved in your eye exam and your treatment planning?
  (See our answer
  • He's available to you, even after office hours?
  (See our answer
  • He's committed to your vision for a lifetime?
  (See our answer


 "Dr. Pepose is a lot like Santa Claus. But instead of gifts, he gives the best gift of all: the gift of vision." -- Angelo Wamaly


He uses the most advanced early detection glaucoma testing equipment?  
Many eye doctors rely on older, less expensive machines to assess whether a patient has glaucoma.  Pepose Vision Institute has invested in such advanced technologies as the Nerve Fiber Analyzer, which can detect glaucoma years ahead of these older devices.  This means that we can control your glaucoma before you suffer irreversible vision loss.  Our doctors have the training and experience to properly interpret these diagnostic results so that they can create a precise treatment plan for each individual patient.

He knows why measuring eye pressure is not a foolproof way to detect glaucoma?
It turns out that many of the simple devices used to measure eye pressure give lots of false positives and negatives.  This means that people who really don't have glaucoma may be subjected to a lifetime of expensive, unnecessary medications, while others who really do have glaucoma remain untreated.  Our doctors understand that these false readings can occur because of a patient's corneal thickness or ocular structure.  We are at the forefront in developing state-of-the-art eye pressure measurement devices, and use them to ensure accurate eye pressure readings for all of our patients.  

Other doctors recommend him?  
When MDs were surveyed and asked "to whom would you refer your family members if they needed eye surgery," they have consistently answered Pepose Vision Institute, earning us recognition year after year in Best Doctors in America and America's Top Docs.

He understands that medication options to treat glaucoma may not always be patient-friendly?  
Typically, the first line treatment of a glaucoma patient is a menu of eye drop medications that must be used everyday sometimes several times a day - for the rest of their life.    In some instances, these eye drops can cause intolerable side effects, not to mention their expense!  As a result, compliance can be poor, leading to greater vision loss in the future.  At Pepose Vision Institute, we recognize that "one treatment doesn't fit all" and that some patients will benefit from having laser treatments at an earlier stage to reduce or eliminate their need for eye medications.  

He does more than glaucoma?
PVI does more than glaucoma diagnosis and management.  We evaluate whether your vision problem is actually due to glaucoma or to another vision-compromising condition.  If there is a problem, we have the know-how to treat it, and will rarely inconvenience you by referring you to another doctor in another office.  Our goal is to preserve and protect your functional vision, no matter what the threat.

He can offer you a "cold" laser treatment if medically indicated?  
Some glaucoma doctors have been trained only in using an argon laser to reduce eye pressure in glaucoma patients.  The surgeons as Pepose Vision Institute are well versed in this "hot" laser as well as the newest "cold" laser, which can reduce eye pressure without collateral damage to your eye tissue.  Cold laser treatment is a comfortable, painless in-office procedure, with no side effects.  Because this treatment can be repeated multiple times during a glaucoma patient's life, we are not afraid to use it early in the development of glaucoma, when medically appropriate.  At PVI, laser management of glaucoma is not a "last resort."  In fact, research has shown that the cold laser procedure may have its greatest long-term effect in patients who have not had a long history of eye drop use to control their eye pressure.  

He's directly involved in your eye exam and your treatment planning?  
Some eye care providers treat glaucoma as an everyday occurrence.  We treat it as it should be:  a serious threat to your functional vision that requires vigilant oversight and management.  Our eye surgeons are integrally involved in your eye exam, diagnostic testing, and treatment planning.  Which, frankly, are essential parts of managing glaucoma.  Your glaucoma exam is extensive we use a variety of diagnostic tests to confirm the presence and extent of your glaucoma, and to measure any loss in vision that has already occurred.  No two glaucoma patients are treated exactly the same way, because each patient has their own unique eye anatomy, tolerance of medications and risk factors that impact progression of the disease.  

He is up on the newest technologies in the field?
If you know what technologies are coming down the pike, you are in a better position to advise your patients to wait until the ideal technology is available to treat a specific condition. Pepose Vision Institute is not only up on the newest technologies, but it is at the forefront of developing and evaluating them, working closely with leaders in the eye care industry around the world.  Because our doctors are actively involved in clinical studies, their patients quickly benefit from the newest diagnostic and treatment advances.
 
He's available to you, even after office hours?  
Ever try to reach your M.D. after office hours?  You want the peace of mind from knowing you can reach your doctor if you have questions or concerns, especially after surgery.  At PVI, our doctors are on-call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to patients' concerns.  You will never hear "hang up and call 911 for an emergency."

He's committed to your vision for a lifetime?  
At Pepose Vision Institute, once you have been diagnosed with glaucoma you become part of the PVI family.  We will follow you carefully, and adjust your treatment plan as needed.  If you have risk factors for the disease but currently exhibit normal eye pressure, we will monitor your eyes closely to ensure the very earliest detection should glaucoma present itself.  Our glaucoma patients understand that we will do everything necessary to protect their functional vision for a lifetime.

We fully appreciate that the decision of where to have your glaucoma managed is a serious one that deserves the utmost attention to detail. And attention to detail is what separates Pepose Vision Institute from all the rest.