Glaucoma Care

We use the latest advancements in diagnostic technologies and pioneering telemedicine approaches, including tele-glaucoma innovations, to expand access to care and reach at-risk populations. Our team employs high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT), advanced visual field testing, and precision intraocular pressure monitoring to detect glaucoma in its earliest stages to help patients preserve and protect their vision. We also closely monitor individuals with ocular hypertension and glaucoma suspects, applying personalized risk assessments and evidence-based medical therapies to slow or prevent disease progression.

In addition to delivering exceptional clinical care, our program continues to set new standards in the treatment of glaucoma care and is committed to advancing the field through research, and device development, and education. Our physician-scientists played a key role in the development of novel FDA-approved sustained-release therapies, a new class of glaucoma treatments that offer the potential for long-term intraocular pressure control without the burden of daily eye drops.

As members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Preferred Practice Pattern Committee, our ophthalmologists help shape national guidelines for comprehensive adult eye care. These guidelines recommend more frequent comprehensive medical eye examinations for individuals at increased risk for glaucoma underscoring the critical importance of early detection, risk-based screening, and comprehensive care to prevent vision loss and improve outcomes in high-risk populations.

We are one of only 13 centers worldwide designated as a Cochrane Eyes and Vision (CEV) Center for Evidence-Based Vision Care, a National Eye Institute (NEI)/National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded distinction recognizing our commitment to advancing evidence-based medicine and eye care. Our contributions to research and determining the most effective treatments in patient care serve as a model for clinical sites around the world.

Montefiore Einstein Ophthalmology advances the understanding and treatment of glaucoma through an integrated basic, translational, and clinical research program that spans early detection, disease classification, and advanced imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT) for diagnosis and monitoring. Core efforts focus on refining surgical techniques and technologies—including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)—optimizing surgical outcomes, addressing refractive surgery considerations in glaucoma suspects, understanding health disparities in vulnerable populations, and incorporating artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into clinical decision-making. Our faculty helped establish new standards of care by leading clinical trials that resulted in novel FDA-approved medications and devices, co-invented the Trabectome®, the first FDA-cleared MIGS device, and played a central role in developing sustained-release glaucoma therapies that provide long-term intraocular pressure control without the inconvenience and potential side effects of daily eye drops.​

Supported by prestigious NIH-funded grants, our physician-scientists are conducting breakthrough studies on human retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation, axon growth, and pathfinding using advanced organoid and microphysiological models to close critical knowledge gaps in early optic nerve development and mechanisms of RGC degeneration in blinding diseases such as glaucoma. This work underpins the creation of innovative datasets, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic strategies aimed at RGC-protective drugs, replacement therapies, and regenerative treatments that could ultimately restore vision for adults and children. Additional investigations include a low-cost glaucoma calculator for risk stratification, evaluation of cataract surgery’s impact on glaucoma care, analyses of trabeculectomy techniques, shared decision-making, accuracy of medical record coding, and the utility of OCT global metrics in advanced disease, as well as functional MRI studies of visual cortex changes and research into genetic and molecular biomarkers to enable personalized glaucoma care.

The Montefiore Glaucoma Division has been a leader in establishing data collaboratives that advance research across multiple U.S. institutions. By leveraging data from millions of patient visits both within and beyond Montefiore, our teams have created a robust foundation for a flourishing range of research initiatives.

Glaucoma, the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, represents a group of complex eye conditions characterized by progressive optic neuropathy, or damage to the optic nerve, the structure responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage is often, but not always, associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Over time, glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss, typically beginning with peripheral vision and potentially progressing to central vision loss if left untreated. In the United States, the most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma, which usually develops gradually and often without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Other types include angle-closure glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and secondary glaucomas related to trauma, steroid use, systemic disease, eye inflammation, or other ocular conditions. Because glaucoma typically progresses silently, regular screening and early detection are critical to preserving vision. Once diagnosed, management focuses on lowering intraocular pressure through medications, laser treatments, or surgery to slow or prevent further optic nerve damage.

With locations in New York City and Westchester, we serve all your glaucoma care needs close to home and work.