According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, thousands of people are hurt by sports-related eye injuries each year. About 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent vision loss.
PACIFIC EYE IS OPEN - Masks are still required during appointments.
Glaucoma is a degenerative eye condition that damages the optic nerve at the back of your eye. An estimated 3 million Americans have glaucoma — and it’s the second-leading cause of blindness across the world.
Glaucoma starts slowly, without any pain or other noticeable symptoms. About 50% of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it, and it can cause permanent vision loss the longer it’s left untreated.
Protecting your vision starts by getting routine comprehensive eye exams and understanding your risk factors.
At Pacific Eye, our San Luis Obispo optometrists and ophthalmologists are highly trained in diagnosing and treating glaucoma. We’re here to help you assess your risk for this common condition and learn what you can do to keep your eyes as healthy as possible.
Anyone can get glaucoma, but certain factors may increase your chances of developing it. The most common risk factors for glaucoma are:
Your risk of glaucoma increases as you get older. Our team may begin screening you for glaucoma around age 40, and most people with glaucoma are over the age of 60.
Glaucoma can be inherited. That means if your parents, grandparents, or siblings had or have glaucoma, you may be more likely to develop it yourself.
Even if you don’t have a family history of glaucoma, your heritage may influence your risk. People who are Black, Asian, or Hispanic are more likely to have glaucoma than people who are white.
Your general eye health may indicate the likelihood that you’ll develop glaucoma. Conditions that could put you at greater risk for glaucoma include:
These conditions can be diagnosed in a routine eye exam.
Your overall health influences your eye health too. Certain pre-existing conditions can affect your eye pressure and your risk of glaucoma, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and poor circulation.
Getting regular comprehensive eye exams is the best way to protect your eyes and your vision. If you have risk factors for glaucoma, we typically recommend annual eye exams. Even if you aren’t considered high-risk, we recommend getting an eye exam at least once every few years.
Our team screens for glaucoma with dilated eye exams. We examine your optic nerve for signs of damage and test your eye pressure. We may also check your peripheral vision, as glaucoma often affects it before your central vision.
If we detect glaucoma, treatment can slow or stop disease progression. There’s no cure for glaucoma, so identifying and treating it as early as possible is key.
Don’t let glaucoma sneak up on you. Contact us online or call the office nearest you to schedule an eye appointment.
You Might Also Enjoy...
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, thousands of people are hurt by sports-related eye injuries each year. About 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent vision loss.
Your body changes as you get older — and that includes your eyes. Your risk of eye conditions and low vision quality goes up with age, but comprehensive eye care can help you keep seeing clearly. Learn more about eye health for seniors.
Food is your body’s main source of energy, and it’s no secret that what you eat impacts your health. But did you know that your diet could affect your eyes too? Learn how eating a nutritious diet can help you improve your eye health and your vision.
Do you have astigmatism? It’s a leading cause of blurry vision among people of all ages, but there’s a lot you might not know about this common eye problem. Pause to learn more about it, including what your treatment options could be.
Are you tired of wearing eyeglasses? Wondering how to make the switch to contact lenses? Contacts are popular — and they’re essentially invisible. Find out how they work, what vision problems they can correct, and whether they could be right for you.
Millions of Americans have trusted their appearances to Botox®, the leading cosmetic injectable of its kind. If you’re bothered by wrinkles when you look in the mirror, it’s time to find out what Botox could do for you.