Glaucoma: Managing Your Eye Health
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that can lead to blindness if left untreated. An eye doctor from the optometry team of Peninsula Ophthalmology Group can help. We serve We serve Bay Area, Burlingame, San Francisco, and Daly City, CA.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is caused by high pressure in your eye and it affects more than 3 million people in America today. This disease can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness if left untreated.
What Causes Glaucoma?
There are a few different things that can cause glaucoma, including genetics, age, injury, and other diseases. The most common cause is when the fluid in your eye doesn't drain properly. This can increase the pressure in your eye and damage the optic nerve over time.
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
The symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on which type you have. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all until it's too late. Common symptoms include blurred vision, halos around lights, pain or redness in your eyes, nausea or vomiting, and headaches.
Types of Glaucoma
The most common type is open-angle glaucoma, affecting about 90% of people with glaucoma in America today. There isn't a specific cause for this disease, but it can run in families. It usually affects older adults over 40 years old.
The symptoms include seeing halos around lights, blurred vision, eye pain or pressure, nausea or vomiting, and headaches. Unfortunately, there aren't any early warning signs that you have open-angle glaucoma, so many cases go undiagnosed until damage has been caused to your eyesight.
About 60% to 65% of cases of glaucoma are closed-angle. It is caused by a blockage in the drainage canals in your eye and it usually affects people under 40 years old. Symptoms include eye pain or pressure, halos around lights, blurred vision, nausea, or vomiting.
What Are the Treatments for Glaucoma?
It's important to work with an eye surgeon to find the best plan for you. Treatment options include prescription eye drops, laser surgery, and traditional eye surgery. An eye doctor from our optometry team in the Bay Area can help.
How Can I Manage My Eye Health?
If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions closely. Make sure you are using your prescribed eye drops regularly and attend all of your appointments. You should also avoid any activities that could cause further injury to your eyes.
Contact Us Today
An ophthalmologist in the Bay Area can help you manage your glaucoma and keep your eye health under control. Make an appointment at Peninsula Ophthalmology Group in California today. Please call one of our convenient locations at (650) 697-3200 in Burlingame, (650) 756-2020 in Daly City, or (415) 362-3364 in San Francisco.
