Patient Education
Sequoia Eye Group, Redwood City
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Resource centers for the most common eye conditions, eye exam guidelines, outreach programs and trusted education from national medical and patient associations.
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Plain language guides to the most common eye conditions: what they are, warning signs, who is at risk and what you can do. Your own doctor’s advice always comes first.
Glaucoma Resource Center
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, the cable that carries vision from the eye to the brain. It is often linked to eye pressure that is too high for that eye. Glaucoma usually has no symptoms early on, and lost vision cannot be restored, so early detection and steady treatment matter most.
What to know
- Side vision is usually affected first, so many people do not notice it until damage is advanced
- Higher risk: age over 60, a family history of glaucoma, African, Hispanic or Asian ancestry, high eye pressure, thin corneas, high nearsightedness, diabetes and long term steroid use
- Testing includes eye pressure, an optic nerve exam, OCT imaging and visual field testing
- Treatment lowers eye pressure with drops, laser, minimally invasive surgery, medicine implants or traditional surgery
What you can do
- Use your drops every day, even when your eyes feel fine
- Keep every checkup and test, since changes are found on testing before you notice them
- Tell your family. Relatives of people with glaucoma should have regular eye exams
- Emergency: sudden eye pain with headache, nausea, halos or blurred vision can be acute angle closure glaucoma. Get care right away
Learn more: Glaucoma care, high eye pressure, MIGS, interventional glaucoma and bio-interventional surgery. Back to topics
Trusted sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Glaucoma Research Foundation, American Glaucoma Society.
Cataract Resource Center
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. Most cataracts develop slowly with age. They cannot be cleared with drops or glasses, but cataract surgery replaces the cloudy lens with a clear lens implant and is one of the most common and successful surgeries in medicine.
What to know
- Common signs: blurry or dim vision, glare and halos from headlights at night, faded colors, and needing more light to read
- Higher risk: age, diabetes, smoking, long term steroid use, eye injury and years of sun exposure
- Surgery is usually recommended when the cataract gets in the way of daily life, such as driving or reading
- Lens implant options include standard monofocal lenses and premium lenses that can reduce the need for glasses or correct astigmatism
What you can do
- Get a dilated eye exam if your vision is changing or night driving is harder
- Wear sunglasses that block UV light and do not smoke
- If you have glaucoma, ask whether a glaucoma procedure can be combined with cataract surgery
- Ask about lens options before surgery so the plan fits how you want to see
Learn more: Cataract surgery, premium lens implants and surgery costs and insurance. Back to topics
Trusted sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, National Eye Institute.
Macular Degeneration Resource Center
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, the small center of the retina that gives sharp central vision for reading, driving and recognizing faces. Most people have the dry form, which changes slowly. The wet form can cause faster vision loss and needs prompt treatment.
What to know
- Signs: blurry or distorted central vision, straight lines that look wavy, or a dark or empty spot in the center of vision
- Higher risk: age over 50, smoking, a family history of AMD and lighter eye color
- Side vision is usually kept, so AMD rarely causes complete blindness
- Wet AMD is treated with medicine injections in the eye, given by a retina specialist
What you can do
- Do not smoke. Smoking is the biggest risk you can change
- Eat leafy greens, colorful vegetables and fish, and stay active
- Check each eye at home with an Amsler grid if your doctor recommends it
- Take eye vitamins (AREDS2) only if your doctor recommends them for your stage of AMD
- Call us the same day if your central vision suddenly changes
Learn more: Macular degeneration. Back to topics
Trusted sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Macular Degeneration Foundation, BrightFocus Foundation.
Diabetic Eye Disease Resource Center
Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, called diabetic retinopathy. It can also cause swelling in the macula, cataracts at a younger age and a higher risk of glaucoma. Early diabetic eye disease usually has no symptoms, which is why yearly exams matter.
What to know
- Have a dilated eye exam at least once a year, even if your vision seems fine
- Vision that goes in and out of focus can be a sign of blood sugar swings
- The longer you have diabetes, the higher the risk
- Treatments for advanced disease include medicine injections and laser, usually by a retina specialist
What you can do
- Keep blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in your target range
- Do not smoke
- Tell us if you are pregnant, since diabetic eye disease can change faster during pregnancy
- Call us if you notice new floaters, dark spots or a sudden change in vision
Learn more: Diabetic eye disease. Back to topics
Trusted sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Diabetes Association.
Dry Eye Resource Center
Dry eye happens when your eyes do not make enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, often because the oil glands in the eyelids are not working well. It is one of the most common reasons people see an eye doctor, and it can be managed well with the right plan.
What to know
- Signs: burning, gritty or tired eyes, redness, blurry vision that clears with blinking, and even watery eyes
- Common causes: age, screens, contact lenses, some medicines, hormone changes, autoimmune conditions and dry indoor air
- Dry eye can affect the accuracy of measurements before cataract or refractive surgery, so it is often treated first
- Treatments range from tears and warm compresses to prescription drops, punctal plugs and in office treatments
What you can do
- Use preservative free artificial tears as directed
- Take screen breaks and blink fully
- Use a humidifier and point vents away from your face
- Use warm compresses if you were told you have oil gland dryness
Learn more: Dry eye treatment. Back to topics
Trusted sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association.
Flashes, Floaters and Retinal Detachment Resource Center
Floaters are small specks or cobwebs that drift across your vision, and they are common, especially with age. A sudden change in floaters or new flashes of light can mean the gel inside the eye is pulling on the retina, which can cause a retinal tear or detachment. A detachment is an emergency.
What to know
- Warning signs: a sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain or shadow over part of your vision
- Higher risk: nearsightedness, past eye surgery or injury, a family history of retinal detachment and older age
- A retinal tear found early can often be treated in the office with laser
- A detachment usually needs surgery, and outcomes are better when it is treated quickly
What you can do
- Call us the same day for new flashes, a burst of floaters or a shadow in your vision
- Do not wait to see if it goes away
- Wear protective eyewear for sports and home projects
- Keep regular dilated exams if you are very nearsighted
Learn more: Retinal tear and detachment and high myopia. Back to topics
Trusted sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, National Eye Institute.
Children’s Vision and Myopia Resource Center
Nearsightedness (myopia) is becoming more common in children, and it often gets worse while they are growing. Higher myopia raises the risk of eye problems later in life, such as retinal detachment and glaucoma, so slowing its progression is worth discussing early.
What to know
- Signs: squinting, sitting close to the TV, holding devices very close, headaches or trouble seeing the board
- Children with one or two nearsighted parents are at higher risk
- Myopia control options include special glasses, contact lenses and eye drops
- Regular eye exams catch vision problems that school screenings can miss
What you can do
- Encourage time outdoors in daylight every day
- Take regular breaks from close work and screens
- Keep screens and books at a comfortable distance
- Ask about myopia control at your child’s next exam
Learn more: Myopia control for kids and high myopia. Back to topics
Trusted sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association, InfantSEE.
Red Eye and Pink Eye Resource Center
A red eye has many causes, from allergies and dry eye to infections and inflammation inside the eye. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is usually caused by a virus, bacteria or allergies. Most red eyes are not serious, but some need to be seen right away.
What to know
- Viral pink eye spreads easily and usually gets better on its own within one to two weeks
- Allergic pink eye causes itching in both eyes and often comes with seasonal allergies
- Contact lens wearers with a red, painful eye should be seen promptly, since corneal infections can be serious
- Steroid eye drops should only be used under an eye doctor’s care
What you can do
- Wash your hands often and do not share towels, pillows or makeup
- Do not use leftover prescription drops from a past problem
- Stop wearing contact lenses until your eye is back to normal
- Call us right away for eye pain, light sensitivity, a change in vision, or a red eye after an injury
Learn more: Eye conditions we treat. Back to topics
Trusted sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Prevent Blindness.
Eye exam guidelines
- Adults with no symptoms or risk factors: a baseline comprehensive eye exam by age 40, as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Age 65 and older: an eye exam every one to two years, or as your doctor recommends
- Diabetes: a dilated eye exam at least once a year
- Glaucoma risk or a family history of eye disease: ask your doctor how often you need exams
- Children: vision checks at well child visits and a full eye exam if a problem is found or suspected
Living with low vision
- Ask about magnifiers, brighter task lighting and high contrast tools for reading
- Phones and tablets have built in zoom, large text and read aloud features
- Low vision specialists and occupational therapists can help you stay independent at home
- The National Eye Institute and the American Academy of Ophthalmology offer free low vision guides
Free and low cost eye care programs
EyeCare America
A public service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that helps uninsured and underinsured adults 18 and older get a medical eye exam by a volunteer ophthalmologist at no cost. Call (877) 887 6327 or visit aao.org/eyecare-america.
InfantSEE
A public health program of Optometry Cares, the AOA Foundation, focused on eye and vision assessments for infants. Visit infantsee.org.
Prevent Blindness
A national patient advocacy group offering eye safety information, vision screening programs and patient support. Visit preventblindness.org.
Patient education from national associations
Brochures, guides and outreach programs from leading medical and patient organizations. These links open their websites.
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162 Clinton Street, Redwood City, CA 94062 ยท Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm