Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy (a disease of the optic nerve) characterized by a specific pattern of nerve damage, beginning with a slow loss of peripheral vision and gradually moving inward to the central visual fields. Glaucoma can lead to total blindness if it is untreated or detected too late.

The risk of developing glaucoma is higher if a person has:

• Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which results from less fluid leaving the eye than is entering the eye
  
  
• Immediate family member with glaucoma (siblings, parents, grandparents)
  
  
• Thinner corneas
  
  
• History of eye or head injury
  
  
• History of blood loss or transfusion
  
  
• High myopia
  
  
• Diabetes Mellitus

Other possible risk factors for glaucoma may include low blood pressure, low intracranial pressure, poor blood circulation, autoimmune conditions, sleep apnea, and sleeping with something pressed against the eye.

Early Detection Prevents Vision Loss

Consider yourself fortunate if you are aware of your family history because if you know that glaucoma runs in your family and share this information with your eye doctor, you have a much lower chance of experiencing vision loss later in life.

If you do have glaucoma, or been told that you may have glaucoma (glaucoma suspect), your doctor will suggest a very close monitoring program for your eyes and vision. In fact, until your doctor feels that he or she has an absolute understanding of the cause and course of your glaucoma, you may have many appointments.

What Can Be Done?

Treatment for glaucoma includes regular checking for signs of progression with a variety of tests, such as optic and retinal nerve scans, visual field analyzers, corneal thickness measurement, and frequent eye pressure checks.

Eyedrop medications are still the most common form of glaucoma treatment, followed by laser surgery.

Fortunately, most people reach a point where their eyedrop treatment controls the eye pressure, slowing down the progressive nature of their glaucoma and greatly increasing the chance of steady vision later in life.