National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Eye Sight ExaminationWhat is Glaucoma? 

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. The most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma, which is one of the main causes of blindness in the United States.

How does glaucoma cause vision loss?

With glaucoma, the fluid within the eye drains too slowly, and, as the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye rises to a level that may damage the optic nerve. When the optic nerve is damaged, peripheral (or side) vision is affected, narrowing the field of vision. Left untreated, total vision loss can occur.

What are the symptoms?

In the early stages of primary open-angle glaucoma, there are no symptoms. However, only 8 percent of people in the United States are aware of this fact.

It’s important for people to know that glaucoma can be detected early before noticeable vision loss occurs, and that vision that is lost cannot be restored. Although glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled. Vision loss can be prevented or minimized with early detection, treatment, and appropriate follow-up.

Almost 3 million people ages 40 and older have glaucoma, yet only half know they have it. Even more alarming is that the number of people with glaucoma is projected to increase in the next few decades to more than 4 million by 2030 and more than 6 million by 2050.

Who is at higher risk?

Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people are at higher risk. Those at higher risk for glaucoma include:

  • African Americans over 40—It is still unknown why this specific population develops glaucoma earlier than others and is more likely to experience vision loss from it, so it is very important to reach them early.
  • Everyone over 60, especially Hispanics/Latinos.
  • People with a family history of the disease—If someone’s close family members had glaucoma, he or she is more likely to develop the disease

 

What Can I Do to Prevent Glaucoma?

Currently, regular eye exams are the best form of prevention against significant glaucoma damage.

Early detection and careful, lifelong treatment can maintain vision in most people. In general, a check for glaucoma should be done:

  • before age 40, every two to four years
  • from age 40 to age 54, every one to three years
  • from age 55 to 64, every one to two years
  • after age 65, every six to 12 months
  • Anyone with high risk factors should be tested every year or two after age 35.

 

Protect Your Eyes

Wearing protective eyewear is important when engaged in sports activities or home improvement projects.

Eye injuries can result in traumatic glaucoma or secondary glaucoma, so protecting your eyes from injury is another way to prevent glaucoma.

For more information go to www.glaucoma.org.