Blog post by: Eye Physicians of Long Beach

Earlier this year, Dr. Martinez was invited on an amazing expedition opportunity to Panama to observe and learn about new advances for glaucoma treatment.

An estimated 3 million Americans have Glaucoma, a name given to a group of diseases that are potentially blinding and have a characteristic pattern of serious damage to the optic nerve and visual field loss.

I had the opportunity to travel there in March 2025 to observe exciting new advances in glaucoma treatment. It was an honor to be among the 12 physicians selected from across the U.S. to participate in this experience and engage in meaningful conversations with my peers.

At Eye Physicians of Long Beach, we are committed to staying at the forefront of innovation and delivering the latest, most effective procedures to help our patients preserve their vision. – Dr. Martinez

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Open Angle Glaucoma

Patients suffering from early open angle glaucoma, usually have no symptoms but as the disease worsens, increased loss of peripheral vision becomes apparent. In the late stages of the disease, a person may experience a marked reduction in peripheral vision. In most cases, the central vision remains strong but this too will deteriorate over time. Regular eye exams are encouraged so patients can be screened for glaucoma for early diagnosis.

Angle Closure Glaucoma

Patients with angle closure glaucoma tend to have more recognizable symptoms such as nausea or periods of pain, ranging from minimal discomfort to an extreme aching pain in the eye and head. With each episode of pain, the vision may become very blurry or colored halos may be seen around lights at night. For this reason, patients with closed angle glaucoma often seek medical help sooner and are diagnosed with the disease before those with open angle glaucoma. Sometimes, if the angle closes slowly, symptoms can be very mild and can go undetected by the patient.

Looking For a Glaucoma Specialist in Long Beach?

If you have never been examined and think you may have glaucoma or have a family history of the disease and would like to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (562) 799-2020.