If you have a family history of glaucoma, or even if you don't, it is a good idea to be regularly tested for this condition. If you live in or around Inglewood and it has been a while since your last eye exam, contact our ophthalmologist, Leroy Vaughn, MD.
What Is Glaucoma?
This eye condition happens when the optic nerve of the eye becomes damaged. This damage often comes from eye pressure that is too high. For people over the age of 60, it is the most common cause of blindness. When vision is lost due to this eye condition, it cannot be reversed. That is why it is so important to have regular eye exams so the pressure inside your eye can be measured.
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
In the beginning, there may be no symptoms of this condition at all. Sometimes, the symptoms may be so slight that you do not notice them until the glaucoma has become very pronounced. In other cases, there are obvious symptoms that will be noticed. The symptoms that you have will depend on the type of glaucoma that you have as well as how far along it has gotten.
If you have open-angle glaucoma, you may see blind spots that appear patchy in your central or side vision, and this often happens in both eyes. Once it gets to an advanced stage, you may have tunnel vision. If you have the acute angle-closure type of glaucoma, you may have several symptoms, including blurry vision, pain in the eyes, vomiting and nausea, a serious headache, red eyes or see halos around lights.
Can You Prevent Glaucoma?
You may not be able to prevent it entirely, but there are ways that you can catch it quickly and reduce your risk of getting it. If you receive regular eye exams from an ophthalmologist that include testing for high eye pressure, you can detect this condition far earlier than if you wait for the symptoms to appear. Early diagnosis means early treatment. Treatment can stop glaucoma in some patients and slow it in others. Also, be aware of your family history and know whether this condition runs in your family. If you have heard about diabetic eye disease in your family, let our eye doctor know.
Get Quality Eye Care in Inglewood, CA
If it has been a while since you have seen an eye doctor, call Leroy Vaughn, MD today at (310) 671-0909 to schedule an appointment to check for glaucoma and a variety of other eye conditions.
