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Glaucoma In San Diego, CA

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition that can damage the optic nerve and lead to a complete loss of vision. Glaucoma is not one but a series of eye conditions that lead to damage of the optic nerve. Your optic nerve is responsible for carrying signals from the eye to the brain. Normally the eye drains fluid through a mechanism called the drainage angle to keep the pressure in the eye stable. However, with glaucoma, the drainage angle becomes clogged or completely blocked, and the pressure inside the eye builds, eventually damaging the optic nerve. Once damaged, the optic nerve cannot be repaired, making glaucoma the second leading cause of blindness in the United States.

At American Eye Associates and California Retina Associates, we offer a wide range of cutting-edge treatments, expert surgical techniques, and the latest diagnostic services that will help you live your most healthy and comfortable life. We are happy to offer ophthalmology services to men and women in San Diego, Chula Vista, and the surrounding areas of Imperial County, California. Contact us to schedule your one-on-one consultation with one of our expert ophthalmologists today.

What is Glaucoma like?

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Types Of Glaucoma?

Congenital glaucoma is present at birth and caused by abnormal fetal eye development. Secondary glaucoma is caused by eye injury, medications, or other discernible causes; it can be either open-angle or angle-closure glaucoma. The glaucoma specialists at American Eye Associates and California Retina Associates can detect early symptoms of glaucoma during your routine eye examinations, which gives us the best chances of properly managing the disease. Some known risk factors of glaucoma include:

  • Glaucoma occurs at any age, however, people over 60 years of age are at higher risk for glaucoma.
  • Having Diabetes Type 2
  • African Americans and Latinos have higher rates of open angle glaucoma
  • People of Asian descent have a higher risk of developing narrow angle glaucoma
  • People of Japanese descent are at higher risk of developing normal tension glaucoma
  • Being very nearsighted (myopic) increases your risk of developing glaucoma.
  • Having a close relative with glaucoma increases your risk of developing glaucoma

Are There Symptoms Of Glaucoma?

 

The most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, develops slowly. There are usually no discernable symptoms or visual changes in the early stages. As the disease advances, it can cause blind spots in peripheral vision. The disease occurs when the drainage angle does not drain fluid as well as it should, which results in a gradual increase of eye pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma comes on very quickly and causes symptoms like severe eye pain, headache, vomiting and nausea. It is considered a medical emergency. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the exit for aqueous fluid is completely blocked, causing a sudden increase in eye pressure. Without immediate intervention, angle-closure glaucoma can cause blindness.

Do I Need Glaucoma Treatment?

 

Because your eye pressure is constantly changing, special diagnostic tests may be required for the detection of glaucoma. During your regularly scheduled exams, our doctors may recommend additional testing, particularly if you have glaucoma risks factors such as a family history of this disorder, diabetes or other health problems that can affect the eyes. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we offer a wide-range of glaucoma treatments to reduce eye pressure and protect your vision. The type of treatment best suited to meet your needs will be dependent on the type of glaucoma you have and the current level of damage that has occurred. Vision loss caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, but further damage can be slowed or prevented with medication, laser or traditional surgery. We offer the following glaucoma treatments and services:

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