According to the World Health Organization, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Glaucoma is a term used for a group of eye diseases where the optic nerve receives considerable damage, usually due to the abnormally high internal pressure of the eye. Because glaucoma affects the optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain, vision loss is often the result.
While there is no cure for glaucoma yet, medication or surgery can slow or stop vision loss.
Who is at Risk?
Unfortunately everyone is at risk for glaucoma. However, certain groups are more likely to contract glaucoma than others:
• People over 60 are six times more likely to get glaucoma. • African-Americans are six to eight times more likely to get glaucoma than Caucasians. • People with a family history of glaucoma are at a much higher risk than the rest of the population. • Hispanics over 60 have an increased risk of contracting glaucoma. • People who have recently received an injury to the eye can contract glaucoma immediately after the injury or years later.
What if I’m Not in Any of the High-Risk Groups?
Even if you are not in any of the aforementioned groups it is highly recommended that once you turn 40 you get your eyes checked for glaucoma. It would also be wise to start checking for glaucoma if you have any of the following:
• Diabetes. • High blood pressure. • High doses of steroid medication. • Corneas thinner than .5 mm
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
In the early stages of glaucoma there are no symptoms because glaucoma gradually steals the peripheral vision. If allowed to continue, the patient’s field of vision will slowly begin to decrease until complete blindness is the result. Therefore it is imperative to check for glaucoma in order to begin treatment as soon as possible to slow or stop vision loss.
Glaucoma is usually treated with eye drops that can often stop vision loss due to a damaged optic nerve or a loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma that does not respond to eye drops generally needs to be treated via a surgical procedure.
Glaucoma can be managed effectively by a treatment plan crafted by an ophthalmologist. Treatment of glaucoma does require a lifelong commitment to control the disease; therefore it is vital to find an ophthalmologist committed to your long-term vision health.
If you live in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina community and are interested in learning more about glaucoma or having your eyes checked, please visit the website of Horizon Eye Care.
