Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in San Diego

Glaucoma results from damage to the optic nerve and is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. This damage is often caused by pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma starts by affecting peripheral vision but can eventually lead to blindness if left unmanaged.

Vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible, and it’s often the first noticeable symptom. However, eye exams can detect glaucoma before vision loss begins, giving your eye doctor a chance to control this disease and slow its progress.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in people older than 50. It occurs when the macula deteriorates. Since the macula controls central vision, those with AMD may struggle to read, drive, or recognize faces.

AMD can lead to significant vision loss without treatment. Eye exams give your eye doctor a chance to diagnose AMD early and slow it down before your eyesight is severely compromised.

Conjunctivitis is commonly known as “pink eye” because it turns the whites of the eye pink or red. It occurs when the membrane covering the white of the eye (the conjunctiva) becomes inflamed, usually in one of the following ways:

• Viral conjunctivitis comes from viral infections and can spread by coughing, sneezing, or hand-to-eye contact. Viral conjunctivitis can make you extra-sensitive to light and may cause a yellow or white discharge from your eyes.
• Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by allergies and often comes with common cold symptoms like sneezing or a runny nose. Allergic conjunctivitis can also make your eyes burn, itch, or water more than usual. This type of conjunctivitis isn’t contagious.
• Bacterial conjunctivitis comes from contact with bacteria. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious and often causes green or yellow discharge from the eyes during sleep. This discharge can solidify overnight and make your eyelids stick together in the morning.
• Chemical conjunctivitis occurs when the eyes come into contact with chemicals, like fumes, smoke, and toxic liquids. Chemical conjunctivitis is not contagious but is an eye emergency. If your eyes have been exposed to chemicals, contact us immediately.

Various types of conjunctivitis may require different treatments, so it’s essential to be correctly diagnosed. If you think you might have conjunctivitis of any kind, contact us and let us help.

Cataracts impair vision over time by clouding the eye’s lens. Many people eventually develop cataracts as they age, but they can also be caused by other factors, including diabetes.

An ophthalmologist can often perform surgery to restore vision lost to cataracts. Contact us if you’re worried about cataracts so we can look for them and treat any that we find.

Diabetic eye diseases threaten vision for millions of Americans, increasing their risk for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Eye exams are critical for identifying diabetic eye diseases before they can permanently impair your eyesight, and can also help detect diabetes in its early stages. Book an eye exam at our practice by contacting us today.