Discover Your Eye Health

If you take a few seconds to think about it, how much do you actually know about your eye health? If it’s been a couple of years since your last eye exam, there’s a possibility that your eyes have changed since your last appointment.

We test your eyes for various diseases during each eye exam. Many eye diseases can develop without your knowledge. We use advanced technology to get a comprehensive look at your eye health to help manage any issues we discover.See what your eyes are telling you today and book your next eye exam at Total Vision Golden Hills, formerly Golden Hills Optometry!

Book Appointment

Common Eye Diseases & Conditions

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of different eye diseases that affect your optic nerve. Generally, glaucoma is characterized by rising intraocular pressure (IOP) that damages your optic nerve, but other types of glaucoma can damage your optic nerve without affecting your IOP levels.

The 3 most common types of glaucoma include:

Open-angle glaucoma: The most common type of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma can develop if your eyes can’t properly drain intraocular fluids even if your drainage angle between your iris and pupil is open, causing your IOP to rise. Open-angle glaucoma typically develops slowly and might not show symptoms until your vision is permanently damaged.
Closed-angle glaucoma: One of the most aggressive types of the disease. Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle between your iris and pupil closes, causing a rapid rise in your IOP levels. When your IOP rises quickly, it can cause nausea, headaches, red eyes, or sudden vision loss. We consider closed-angle glaucoma a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Normal-tension glaucoma: One of the more mysterious types of glaucoma. Normal-tension glaucoma develops even if your IOP levels are within normal limits. While doctors aren’t sure how this type of glaucoma occurs, comprehensive eye exams can help detect this disease.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common eye diseases in adults over 55. As you age, your macula can start to deteriorate, making it difficult for you to see fine details, read, drive, or recognize faces.

There are 2 types of this disease:

Dry AMD, which develops as your macula thins over time.
Wet AMD, which occurs if abnormal blood vessels leak fluids into your macula.

Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common cause of blindness in the United States.

Cataracts develop when proteins in your eye’s lens start to clump together as you age. As these proteins collect, it can make your lens less flexible, causing it to develop a milky, hazy color that obstructs your vision.

Glasses & contact lenses can correct vision problems caused by early cataracts, but the only way to remove them is through cataract surgery.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a common eye condition many experience at some point in their lives. Conjunctivitis is also known as “pink eye” and can be caused by bacterial infection, viral infection, allergies, or chemical exposure.

Despite the cause, conjunctivitis affects the very thin membrane of the eye and eyelid known as your conjunctiva. As it develops, it can cause:

Redness
Wateriness
Mucusy discharge
Crustiness
Itchiness

If your symptoms were caused by chemical exposure, please flush your eyes out with cool, clean water for 15 minutes and call an emergency medical team or us immediately.

Diabetic Eye Diseases

Diabetes can increase the risk of several eye diseases, like diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. If you have diabetes, please make sure to have regular eye exams to monitor your eye health.

Learn more about diabetic eye disease by visiting our Diabetic Eye Exams page today.

Book Your Appointment Today

We’re here to help you understand how important your eye health is. Learn more about what your eyes need today and book your next appointment at Total Vision Golden Hills, formerly Golden Hills Optometry, today!

Book Appointment