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 increases due to glaucoma causing the optic nerve cells to degenerate. Vision loss typically begins toward the nasal portion of the eye’s visual field which is why most people do not realize they have glaucoma in the early stages. In fact, 50% of people who have glaucoma do not even realize they have it until the symptoms progress to significant changes in vision. Preventative care with a comprehensive dilated eye exam at Pendleton Eye can aid in early detection of glaucoma.
Glaucoma types are known as open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the more common type and refers to the improper drainage angle of the eye and closed-angle glaucoma refers to a mechanical problem within the drainage angle that is obstructed by the iris, the colored part of the eye.
What does vision look like with glaucoma? Glaucoma is a slow progressing disease. In fact, it can take up to fifteen years for untreated, on-set glaucoma to bring about symptoms that impact vision. A person with glaucoma will generally notice limited peripheral vision and will require additional light to see well. Other visual symptoms include blurry vision, glares, halos around lights, lack of peripheral vision, and difficulty differentiating contrast. Intense eye pain, eye redness, nausea, and vomiting are other symptoms of glaucoma. With progression to visual field loss, seeing objects to one or both sides will also become more difficult.
For an accurate diagnosis of glaucoma and to establish an effective treatment plan, contact Pendleton Eye for a full-service eye exam. Only an eye doctor can provide a thorough exam complete with a corneal thickness measurement, angle eye exam, dilated eye exam, eye pressure check, optic nerve imaging, and visual field tests. Do not allow glaucoma to impede your vision before your eyes take notice. Pendleton Eye will provide you with the best options available to help lower intraocular pressure that leads to glaucoma. Book your eye exam today by calling 760-758-2008 or scheduling online at WEBSITE.
