Glaucoma Institute--Beverly Hills
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A. Appointments: How to Make and Reschedule
B. Ophthalmic Examination: What will it entail and how long will it take?
C. What to remember to bring for your examination/appointment
D. Glaucoma
1. Definition, epidemiology, & etiology
2. Treatment: medication, lasers, surgery
3. FAQ
4. Warning signs, risk factors, and symptoms
E. Eye care outside the office: Instructions for medications and refills



A. Appointments: How to Make and Reschedule

The office is open for appointments from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Please state your problem, symptoms, and needs to the receptionist so she can schedule the proper amount of time for your appointment.

We know your time is valuable and we make every effort to keep to the appointment schedule. However, we are a pathology office and complicated or urgent glaucoma problems are frequently referred to us. These patients occasionally put us behind schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding in these uncontrollable situations. Because preliminary evaluations and pupil dilation requirements differ, at times it may also appear that patients are not being called in the order of their arrival. As a courtesy to our other patients, we would appreciate 24-hours notice of your cancellation. We generally can reschedule your appointment within a few days.

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B. Ophthalmic examination: What will it entail and how long will it take?

You will first be asked to complete a registration form providing us with general background information regarding your eyes, your medical history, and your insurance coverage. We would also like the name, address, and phone number of your general medical doctor, and the eye doctor who referred you to us.

You will then be directed to our examination rooms. One of our ophthalmic technicians will review the reason for your consultation and conduct preliminary tests of your eyes and eyesight. Then you will meet Dr. Berlin, who will evaluate your eyes and your intra-ocular pressure. Following that, you may undergo a visual field examination to check your peripheral vision. We may also test your eyeÕs refractive capabilities and perform biomicroscopic and retina examinations. For the latter procedure we will instill eyedrops to dilate your pupils. Dilation of your pupils is necessary to completely examine your eyes. This takes about 20 to 30 minutes for lighter eyes, and 30-45 minutes for more pigmented irises. The major effects of the eye drops generally wear off after 3-4 hours in most people.

An initial consultation often requires 2 to 3 hours. We make every effort to follow closely to our patientsÕ scheduled appointment times, so we ask that you attempt to arrive on time, and call us if you will be unusually delayed.

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C. What to remember to bring for your examination/appointment

  • your eyeglasses
  • a list of medications that you take (including eyedrops)
  • the name and address of your referring doctor
  • the name, address and phone number of your general medical or family doctor, or primary care provider.
  • information on your insurance coverage
  • someone to drive you home after your appointment.

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    D. Glaucoma

    1. Definition, epidemiology, & etiology

    Glaucoma, a condition of optic nerve deterioration associated with elevated intra-ocular pressure, is diagnosed in 1 to 2 million Americans; but it is estimated to affect 3 to 4 million. 1.6 million Americans suffer impaired vision resulting from glaucoma damage to their optic nerve, of whom 150,000 are blinded. Blindness from glaucoma is more prevalent than from diseases such as age-related maculopathy, cataract, optic nerve atrophy, and ocular trauma. The damage affects peripheral vision first, but eventually destroys central vision if left untreated. If detected early enough, most cases are manageable by medical and surgical modalities, and further damage and vision loss is preventable.

    2. Treatment: medication, lasers, surgery

    Treatment for glaucoma usually begins with medical eyedrops, including beta-blockers (orange cap), miotics (green cap), prostaglandin analogues (white cap), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (orange cap) and alpha agonists (white/purple cap). If these do not adequately control intraocular pressure, a laser procedure to increase fluid outflow is sometimes necessary. Surgical procedures are usually successful, but generally attempted only after laser and medications have been tried.

    3. FAQ

    4. Warning signs, risk factors, and symptoms

    Despite the devastating effects of glaucoma, its symptoms are often unnoticed until extensive visual field damage has occurred. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of glaucoma in the US, experience no pain or unusual visual phenomena, and frequently seek examination only when their progressive visual field damage assumes near-total proportions, encroaching on their central vision. African-Americans or people with a family history of glaucoma should check their eyes yearly after the age of 40. If no-one in your family has had glaucoma, you should have your eyes checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist yearly after the age of 50.

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    E. Eye care outside the office: instructions for medications and refills

    It is extremely important that you follow your prescription schedule. Glaucoma is usually a slow-acting disease, so long-term adherence to your medication regimen is necessary. You should contact your pharmacy before your eyedrops run out to request a refill. Please remember to call your pharmacy during the Glaucoma InstituteÕs business hours, as they will need to contact us for approval of your prescription.

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