Glaucoma Screening Brooklyn — What to Expect and Why It Matters
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss in the United States, and most people don't know they have it until the damage is already done. A glaucoma screening in Brooklyn with Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD at Nostrand Optical can catch early warning signs before they affect your sight.
That's the frustrating thing about glaucoma: it rarely hurts, and your central vision stays sharp until the disease is advanced. By the time you notice something's wrong, peripheral vision may already be gone. The only way to catch it early is through a proper eye exam that includes eye pressure testing and a look at your optic nerve.
If you're over 50, have a family history of glaucoma, or haven't had an eye exam in more than a year, this article will walk you through exactly what a glaucoma screening involves, who needs one, and where to get one right here in Crown Heights.
Key Takeaways
- Glaucoma causes no pain and no obvious symptoms in its early stages — screening is the only reliable way to detect it early
- Risk is higher if you're over 50, African American, or have a family history of glaucoma
- A glaucoma screening is included in a full eye exam at Nostrand Optical — no separate appointment needed
- Dr. Shlivko checks both eye pressure and optic nerve appearance during your exam
- Nostrand Optical accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans — cost shouldn't stop you from getting screened
If you're overdue for an eye exam and want glaucoma screening included, Dr. Shlivko is accepting new patients at Nostrand Optical, 1018C Nostrand Ave in Crown Heights. Book an appointment and we'll take care of the rest.
What Glaucoma Actually Does to Your Vision
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain. In most cases, that damage is caused by elevated pressure inside the eye, though it can also occur with normal pressure levels.
The optic nerve is what carries visual information. When it's damaged, that information stops getting through, and the result is blind spots, usually starting at the edges of your vision. The problem is that your brain compensates for those gaps for a long time, filling in what's missing, so you don't notice anything unusual until the damage is significant.
There are two main types. Open-angle glaucoma, which is the most common, develops slowly over years. You won't feel pressure in your eyes, your vision won't blur noticeably at first, and there's no pain. Angle-closure glaucoma is less common but can cause a sudden, severe episode with headache, eye pain, and blurred vision that requires emergency care.
Open-angle glaucoma is what most routine screenings are designed to catch early. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 3 million Americans have glaucoma, and about half don't know it.
The good news: when glaucoma is caught early, treatment can slow or stop further vision loss. What you can't do is recover the vision that's already gone. That's why catching it before it progresses matters so much.
Who's at Higher Risk for Glaucoma in Brooklyn
Glaucoma doesn't affect everyone equally. Certain factors raise your risk significantly, and if any of these apply to you, regular screening isn't optional — it's necessary.
Age is one of the strongest risk factors. Glaucoma is much more common in adults over 60, and risk increases with each decade. That said, it can develop in people in their 40s and 50s as well, which is why many eye care guidelines recommend starting regular screening earlier than you might expect.
Race and ethnicity also matter clinically. According to the National Eye Institute, African Americans are three to four times more likely to develop glaucoma than white Americans, and the condition tends to appear at a younger age and progress more aggressively. In Crown Heights, where a significant portion of the community is Black, this isn't just a statistic — it's a real, local health concern.
Family history raises your risk considerably. If a parent or sibling has been diagnosed with glaucoma, your own risk is four to nine times higher than someone with no family history.
Other risk factors include:
- High eye pressure (ocular hypertension), even without existing glaucoma
- Thin corneas
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Long-term use of corticosteroid medications
- Previous eye injury
If more than one of these applies to you, talk to Dr. Shlivko about how often you should be screened. For most high-risk patients, an annual exam is the right call.
What a Glaucoma Screening Involves at Nostrand Optical
A glaucoma screening at Nostrand Optical isn't a separate appointment or a standalone test. It's included as part of a full eye exam, which means you get your prescription updated, your overall eye health evaluated, and your glaucoma risk assessed all in one visit.
Here's what Dr. Shlivko does during the glaucoma-related portion of your exam:
Tonometry (eye pressure test): This measures the pressure inside your eyes, called intraocular pressure (IOP). Elevated IOP is the most well-known risk factor for glaucoma. The test takes just a few seconds per eye and is painless. Most patients get a puff of air or a brief probe contact with numbing drops — neither one is uncomfortable.
Optic nerve evaluation: Dr. Shlivko examines your optic nerve directly using a slit-lamp and, in some cases, dilation drops to get a wider view of the back of the eye. The shape, color, and structure of the optic nerve can reveal early signs of glaucomatous damage that wouldn't show up in a pressure test alone.
Visual field awareness: During your exam, Dr. Shlivko will also consider whether any changes in your peripheral vision warrant a formal visual field test. This is particularly relevant if your optic nerve shows any suspicious features.
Baseline documentation: If this is your first exam at the practice, Dr. Shlivko will establish a baseline for your eye pressure and optic nerve appearance. Tracking changes over time is one of the most important tools for catching glaucoma progression early.
The full eye exam typically takes about 45 minutes. You can check out the eye care services we offer to see everything that's included.
A Screening That Made a Real Difference: A Story from the Practice
Marcus came in for what he thought was a routine prescription update. He was 54, felt fine, and his vision hadn't changed much in a few years. He'd been putting off an eye exam for a while, mostly because he figured nothing was wrong.
During his exam, Dr. Shlivko found that Marcus's eye pressure was elevated in both eyes — not drastically, but higher than normal. His optic nerve also showed early structural changes consistent with glaucoma risk. Marcus had no symptoms. He hadn't noticed anything. His central vision was completely intact.
Dr. Shlivko referred Marcus to a glaucoma specialist for additional testing and monitoring, and Marcus was started on treatment before any measurable vision loss had occurred. He came back a few months later to thank us. "I just came in for new glasses," he said. "I didn't expect it to matter this much."
That's exactly why screenings exist. If Marcus had waited another year or two, the story might have been different.
How Often Should You Get a Glaucoma Screening?
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that adults with no known risk factors get a complete eye exam every two years between ages 18 and 60, and annually after age 60.
For higher-risk patients — including African Americans starting at age 40, anyone with a family history of glaucoma, and patients with elevated eye pressure — annual exams are recommended earlier and more consistently.
Here's a practical way to think about it:
- No risk factors, under 40: Every two years is usually fine
- No risk factors, ages 40 to 60: Every one to two years
- Over 60: Annually
- Any known risk factors: Annually, regardless of age — and talk to Dr. Shlivko about whether additional monitoring is needed
One important note: a school or workplace vision screening is not the same as a full eye exam. Those quick checks test visual acuity, not eye pressure or optic nerve health. If you've only ever had a vision screening and not an actual eye exam with an optometrist, you haven't been screened for glaucoma.
If you're not sure when you last had a full eye exam, that's probably your answer. Schedule your eye exam in Crown Heights and we'll make sure your glaucoma screening is included.
Insurance Coverage for Glaucoma Screening in Brooklyn
One of the most common reasons people skip eye exams — and by extension, glaucoma screenings — is uncertainty about insurance. Nostrand Optical accepts a wide range of plans, and we want to make sure that's not the thing standing between you and a screening.
We accept:
- Medicaid — yes, including glaucoma screening as part of a covered eye exam
- Medicare — Medicare Part B covers annual dilated eye exams for patients at high risk for glaucoma, which includes patients who are African American aged 50 and older, patients with a family history of glaucoma, patients with diabetes, and patients with elevated eye pressure
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
- Anthem
- Health First
- Fidelis Care
- Union plans
- CareCredit (for out-of-pocket costs)
If you're not sure whether your specific plan covers glaucoma screening or eye exams, take a look at the insurance we accept or just call us. We'll verify your coverage before your appointment so there are no surprises.
For patients on Medicaid, there's no reason to delay. Coverage is there. You can also read more on our post about eye doctors that accept Medicaid in Brooklyn for more details on what's covered and how to use your benefits.
Two More Reasons Crown Heights Patients Skip Screenings (And Why They Shouldn't)
"My vision is fine, so I probably don't need to go."
This is the most common reason patients wait too long. It feels logical, but it doesn't apply to glaucoma. Your vision can be completely fine while optic nerve damage is already underway. The part of your vision that glaucoma attacks first — the periphery — is also the part your brain is best at ignoring. You genuinely might not notice it.
The exam isn't just about your prescription. It's about the health of the structures inside your eye. Dr. Shlivko will evaluate both, and you'll leave knowing your complete eye health picture, not just your current lens prescription.
"I'm too busy, I'll go next year."
We hear this one a lot on Nostrand Ave. Life in Crown Heights is full, and a medical appointment you don't think you need tends to get pushed back. But glaucoma doesn't pause while you're busy. Early detection makes treatment easier and more effective. A 45-minute exam once a year is a real investment in keeping your vision intact into your 60s, 70s, and beyond.
A Neighbor Who Almost Waited Too Long
Patricia is 67 and lives a few blocks from Nostrand Ave. She'd been managing diabetes for several years and knew she was supposed to get regular eye exams, but she'd let it slip to every other year, then longer.
When she finally came in, Dr. Shlivko found elevated eye pressure in one eye and early optic nerve changes that suggested glaucoma was developing. Her visual field testing also showed a small area of peripheral vision loss she hadn't noticed.
Because the changes were caught at an early stage, Patricia was referred for treatment before significant additional vision loss could occur. She now comes in every year without fail. "I didn't know it was already happening," she said. "I didn't feel anything."
Patricia's experience is common. Glaucoma screening matters most for patients who feel like they don't need it. If you have diabetes, are over 60, or have a family history of glaucoma, don't wait. You can also learn more about what we look for in our post on cataract screening in Brooklyn, since many of the same risk factors and exam components overlap.
Glaucoma Screening Brooklyn — Getting Yours at Nostrand Optical
A glaucoma screening in Brooklyn doesn't require a specialist visit or a separate appointment. It's part of your annual eye exam at Nostrand Optical, right here on Nostrand Ave in Crown Heights.
Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD sees patients from across Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Flatbush, Bed-Stuy, and Lefferts Gardens. The exam includes eye pressure measurement, optic nerve evaluation, and a full picture of your eye health — not just an updated prescription.
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, Health First, Fidelis, UHC, Anthem, and most union plans. If you want to learn more about Dr. Shlivko before your visit, you can meet our optometrist on our website.
If you're over 40 and haven't had a full eye exam in more than a year, this is a good time to go. Glaucoma caught early can be managed. Vision lost to glaucoma can't be recovered.
Book your glaucoma screening at Nostrand Optical today. We're at 1018C Nostrand Ave, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11225, and we're here for your whole family.