Have you noticed blurred vision, blind spots, or difficulty seeing in dim light? These could be early warning signs of glaucoma—a serious eye condition that can cause irreversible vision loss if left untreated.
For residents of Oceanside and surrounding communities, early detection and treatment are key to protecting your eyesight. At Pendleton Eye Center, our experienced eye doctors use advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options to help patients manage glaucoma and preserve their vision.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve—the part of the eye responsible for sending visual signals to your brain. This damage is often caused by abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP), but it can also occur even with normal eye pressure.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, affecting over 3 million Americans. Alarmingly, only about half of those with glaucoma know they have it, because early stages often have no symptoms.
Glaucoma usually affects peripheral vision first. Over time, the damage can progress toward the center of your vision, eventually leading to blindness if untreated.
Key ways glaucoma impacts vision include:
Loss of side vision – Gradual narrowing of the visual field.
Blind spots – Dark areas in your vision may appear.
Blurry vision – Particularly during reading or detailed tasks.
Halos around lights – Common in certain types of glaucoma.
Difficulty seeing in dim light – Night driving may become unsafe.
Types of Glaucoma
There are several types of glaucoma, but the two most common are:
Open-Angle Glaucoma – The most common type, developing slowly over years. Often symptomless until advanced.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma – A sudden and severe rise in eye pressure; this is a medical emergency that can cause vision loss in hours.
Other forms include normal-tension glaucoma and secondary glaucoma caused by injury, inflammation, or other eye diseases.
Symptoms to Watch For
Early glaucoma often has no noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, you may experience:
Gradual loss of peripheral vision
Patchy blind spots
Blurred or cloudy vision
Eye pain or pressure
Redness in the eye
Headaches accompanied by vision changes
Normal Vision
Glaucoma Vision
Causes and Risk Factors
Glaucoma develops when fluid builds up in the eye, increasing pressure that damages the optic nerve. In some cases, optic nerve damage occurs without elevated eye pressure.
Age over 60 (risk increases with each decade)
Family history of glaucoma
African American, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian descent
Glaucoma may be known as the “silent thief of sight”, but with today’s technology and proactive care, you have the power to protect your vision. For Oceanside residents and nearby area, the key is early detection—whether that starts with a simple self-test or a comprehensive in-office exam. At Pendleton Eye Center, we’re committed to providing advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment, and the guidance you need to manage glaucoma effectively.
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear by then, vision loss may already be irreversible. Take the first step today by completing our glaucoma risk assessment and schedule your eye exam to safeguard your sight for years to come. Call us now at (760) 758-2008 or click here to schedule your consultation.
January is here, bringing with it not just the promise of new beginnings but also a crucial reminder about an often-overlooked eye condition: glaucoma. Known as “the silent thief of sight,” glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Despite its severity, many people remain unaware of its risks and how to prevent it. […]
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions that cause blindness, specifically those that cause damage to the optic nerve of the eye. The optic nerve carries messages from the retina to the brain to create the images you see. Optic nerve damage can lead to vision distortion, vision loss and blindness. […]
The best treatment available for glaucoma is the lowering of intraocular pressure. Only with a comprehensive eye exam can you know for sure if any signs and symptoms you are exhibiting are a result of glaucoma. While there is no cure for glaucoma, early treatment can stop damage and help prevent further vision loss. Glaucoma […]
Routine eye examinations are essential to help detect eye disease such as cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. As the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, glaucoma affects more than 3 million Americans. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that causes damage to the optic nerve, located at the back of the eye. Intraocular pressure […]
