Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight — it causes permanent vision loss before any symptoms appear. Dr. J.C. Mungar provides comprehensive glaucoma testing, monitoring, and long-term management in Oakville using advanced OCT optic nerve imaging and visual field analysis.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve — the connection between your eye and your brain. In most cases this damage is caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The insidious nature of glaucoma is that most patients have no pain, no redness, and no noticeable change in vision until significant, irreversible damage has already occurred.
The good news is that with early detection and proper management, most patients with glaucoma retain their functional vision for life. The key is regular monitoring by an experienced optometrist using the right diagnostic tools. Dr. Mungar has managed glaucoma patients at his Oakville clinic for over three decades.
The most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma, which develops slowly and painlessly. Narrow-angle glaucoma can present as a sudden acute episode with pain, nausea, and rapid vision changes. Risk factors include:
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) produces detailed 3D cross-sectional images of the optic nerve head and retinal nerve fibre layer. This allows Dr. Mungar to detect structural changes associated with glaucoma — often years before any changes appear on a visual field test. OCT is available at our Oakville clinic.
Visual field testing measures the full extent of your peripheral vision and detects any areas of visual loss. In glaucoma, peripheral vision is typically lost first. Repeat testing over time allows Dr. Mungar to determine whether the condition is stable or progressing.
IOP is measured at every comprehensive eye exam. While elevated IOP is the most important modifiable risk factor for glaucoma, note that up to 30% of glaucoma patients have normal IOP — which is why pressure measurement alone is not sufficient for diagnosis or management.
Once glaucoma is diagnosed, Dr. Mungar develops a personalized monitoring schedule based on your disease severity and progression rate. Management typically involves prescription eye drops to lower IOP combined with regular OCT imaging and visual field testing. When surgical intervention is required, Dr. Mungar refers you to a trusted ophthalmologist and continues to co-manage your care.
Dr. Mungar uses OCT imaging for both glaucoma detection and long-term monitoring, providing a level of diagnostic detail that pressure testing alone cannot match.
With over 30 years of clinical practice in Oakville, Dr. Mungar has managed hundreds of glaucoma patients and understands how to distinguish normal optic nerve variation from true pathology.
When patients require laser treatment or surgery, Dr. Mungar refers to trusted ophthalmologists in the region and continues co-managing care afterwards. You’re never passed off and forgotten.
In the most common form (primary open-angle glaucoma), there are typically no symptoms in the early to moderate stages. Vision loss begins in the periphery where it’s difficult to notice, and patients often don’t realize anything is wrong until significant damage has occurred. This is why regular comprehensive eye exams with OCT imaging are so critical for early detection.
Yes. Having a first-degree relative with glaucoma significantly increases your risk. We strongly recommend that family members of glaucoma patients be screened regularly, even if they have no symptoms and are not yet in the typical risk-age range.
Glaucoma cannot currently be cured and optic nerve damage that has already occurred cannot be reversed. However, with appropriate treatment — typically eye drops that lower IOP — the vast majority of patients successfully prevent further vision loss and maintain functional sight for life.
Monitoring frequency depends on your disease stage and stability. Newly diagnosed or unstable patients are typically seen every 3 to 4 months. Stable, well-controlled patients may be monitored every 6 to 12 months. Dr. Mungar will recommend the appropriate schedule for your situation.
If you’re over 50, have a family history of glaucoma, or haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam in more than a year, early screening is the most important step you can take.
Book a Glaucoma AssessmentOffice Notice
Monday August 3 through Friday August 7
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If you have an urgent eye concern during this week, please visit your nearest walk in clinic or emergency department.
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