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Receive Trusted Glaucoma Care in Brooklyn

New York Laser Vision's Brooklyn office is led in part by two lifelong Brooklyn residents: Dr. Milana Sapozhnikov, who was born and raised in the borough and completed her ophthalmology residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and Dr. Anastasiya Zagurskaya, a Brooklyn native who manages complex conditions including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Sapozhnikov's practice includes minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, and she has managed patients with glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertensive retinopathy throughout her career. Founding director Julia Giyaur, MD, brings surgical experience to the practice as well, having performed thousands of eye procedures over more than 15 years. Together, this team gives Brooklyn patients access to both ongoing glaucoma monitoring and surgical treatment without leaving the neighborhood.

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What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that gradually damage the optic nerve, the structure that sends visual information from the eye to the brain. The National Eye Institute notes that glaucoma is often tied to a buildup of fluid pressure inside the eye. However, some patients develop optic nerve damage even with normal eye pressure readings.

Because early glaucoma produces no pain and few noticeable symptoms, vision loss can advance for years before a patient realizes anything is wrong. By the time peripheral vision loss becomes obvious, meaningful optic nerve damage has often already occurred.

Types of Glaucoma

  • Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common type, where the eye's drainage system stays open but slows down, letting pressure rise gradually.
  • Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A blockage in the drainage angle that can develop suddenly and cause eye pain, halos around lights, and blurred vision. This form requires prompt attention.
  • Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Optic nerve damage that occurs despite eye pressure readings within the typical range, requiring closer attention to imaging and visual field results.

Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?

Early glaucoma rarely causes noticeable symptoms, which is exactly what makes it dangerous. Risk factors include:

  • Age, with risk increasing over time
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage, which raises risk for specific glaucoma types
  • High eye pressure found on a routine exam
  • Thin corneas
  • Diabetes
  • Previous eye injury

Because symptoms often lag behind damage, adults should schedule a comprehensive eye exam starting around age 40, and sooner if any of these risk factors apply.

How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

A glaucoma workup at New York Laser Vision's Brooklyn office includes tonometry to measure eye pressure, a direct examination of the optic nerve, and gonioscopy to check the drainage angle. Visual field testing identifies blind spots that patients often don't notice on their own, while optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging tracks the optic nerve fiber layer over time to catch subtle changes early.

A single visit rarely confirms glaucoma on its own. The team typically repeats testing over several months to build a reliable picture of whether the condition is stable or progressing.

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Glaucoma Treatment Options in Brooklyn

Every glaucoma treatment plan aims to lower eye pressure and protect the remaining optic nerve fibers, but the right combination of treatments depends on the type and severity of the disease:

  • Prescription Eye Drops: Usually the starting point, used to reduce fluid production inside the eye or improve how it drains.
  • Laser Treatment: Options such as selective laser trabeculoplasty open up the eye's natural drainage pathway and can reduce reliance on daily drops.
  • Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): Dr. Sapozhnikov performs MIGS, which lowers intraocular pressure through smaller incisions and a shorter recovery time than traditional glaucoma surgery.
  • Combined Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery: Patients with both cataracts and glaucoma can often have both conditions addressed in a single surgical visit with Dr. Giyaur.

Why Choose New York Laser Vision for Glaucoma Treatment in Brooklyn?

New York Laser Vision's Brooklyn office holds a 4.6-star rating across nearly 450 Google reviews, reflecting years of consistent care for a diverse patient base. Dr. Sapozhnikov was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the highest honor society in medicine, and Dr. Zagurskaya completed an ocular disease residency at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System before joining the practice. That depth of training means Brooklyn patients receive glaucoma monitoring and treatment from a team that includes fellowship-trained specialists and a board-certified surgeon, all coordinating on a single treatment plan.

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What to Expect During Treatment

A glaucoma consultation at New York Laser Vision includes:

  • A review of medical and family history
  • A comprehensive eye exam
  • Additional imaging, if needed, to confirm a diagnosis
  • A discussion of results and which type of glaucoma, if any, is present
  • A recommendation for next steps, whether that's drops, laser treatment, or surgery

Glaucoma treatment is ongoing rather than a one-time fix. Patients using eye drops typically return every few months for pressure checks, and those who've had a laser or surgical procedure follow a monitoring schedule set by their surgeon. Since there is no cure, consistent follow-up is what keeps the disease from progressing further.

We’re Committed to Providing Top-Tier, Long-Term Glaucoma Care in Brooklyn

Beyond day-to-day patient care, New York Laser Vision's Brooklyn team stays engaged with the wider ophthalmology field. Dr. Zagurskaya has presented original research at the SECO conference on an incidental finding in a glaucoma suspect, work that reflects the same close attention to detail she brings to every glaucoma exam. Dr. Sapozhnikov's research has been published in peer-reviewed journals indexed in PubMed, and her language skills in English, Russian, and Spanish help her communicate glaucoma diagnoses and treatment plans clearly to Brooklyn's diverse patient population.

Glaucoma Treatment FAQs

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified ophthalmologist. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

Does glaucoma treatment restore lost vision?

No. Treatment protects the vision a patient has left; it cannot reverse vision already lost to optic nerve damage. This is why early diagnosis matters more than any single treatment.

How painful is glaucoma surgery or laser treatment?

Most patients tolerate laser treatments and MIGS procedures well, with minimal discomfort and a fast return to normal activities. Traditional glaucoma surgery involves more recovery time but is still generally well tolerated.

How often do I need follow-up visits?

Most patients are seen every three to six months, though the schedule depends on how well-controlled the condition is and which treatments are in use.

What happens if I skip my glaucoma medication?

Skipping prescribed drops can allow eye pressure to rise and optic nerve damage to progress, often without any noticeable symptoms until the damage is advanced.

Is glaucoma surgery risky?

All eye surgery carries some risk, including infection or changes in vision. Dr. Sapozhnikov and Dr. Giyaur discuss the specific risks of any recommended procedure before scheduling it.

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