Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management in
Los Gatos

Glaucoma is linked to optic nerve damage and is one of the world’s most common causes of irreversible blindness. Most forms of glaucoma occur when high pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, but eye pressure isn’t always a contributing factor.

Some varieties of glaucoma appear quickly and have obvious symptoms that demand immediate medical attention, but many cases develop slowly and are extremely difficult to recognize without an eye doctor’s help. Regular eye exams are extremely helpful for catching glaucoma early so steps can be taken to control its effects.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant cause of vision loss for people over 50. AMD affects the part of your retina called the macula, which plays a vital role in central vision.

If you have AMD, you might encounter problems during everyday activities, like reading, driving, and recognizing other people’s faces. Having eye exams more often when you’re over 50 gives your doctor more opportunities to diagnose AMD and take steps to preserve your vision.

Conjunctivitis is commonly known as “pink eye” since it inflames the normally clear membrane covering the white of the eye and turns it pink or red. Several kinds of conjunctivitis exist, including:

• • Viral conjunctivitis:
    • Highly contagious.
    • Caused by the same viruses as the common cold.
    • Can cause light sensitivity.
    • May cause green or yellow discharge.
  • Allergic conjunctivitis:
    • Caused by allergens like pollen, dust, and mold spores.
    • Frequently comes with cold-like symptoms but can’t travel between people.
    • Can cause itching, watering, or burning eyes.
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis:
    • Highly contagious.
    • Spread by bacteria from insects, close contact with other people, or touching your face with unclean hands.
    • May cause green or yellow discharge in your eyes while you sleep and “glue” them shut while you sleep.
  • Chemical conjunctivitis:
    • Caused by eye contact with chemicals like toxic liquids, fumes, and smoke.
    • Not contagious.
    • An eye emergency.

• Contact your eye doctor ASAP if your eyes have come in contact with chemicals.

More than 7.7 million Americans have diabetic eye diseases, which are expected to become twice as common by 2050. Diabetes makes you susceptible to developing diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema while increasing your risk for glaucoma and cataracts.

Eye exams can catch diabetic eye problems early and may even uncover signs of diabetes itself in those who don’t know they have it. Book an exam at our practice so we can look for signs of these problems and show you our strategies for addressing them.