Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an umbrella term for many different conditions that result in damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. Glaucoma is a generally preventable form of vision loss that with early detection can be treated. Unfortunately, though, as much as 10% of people who receive proper treatment still experience vision loss. Glaucoma often has no obvious signs or symptoms until vision loss begins. The best way to protect yourself is to have regular vision exams with glaucoma screening.

Causes of Glaucoma

In most cases, glaucoma damage to the optic nerve is caused by elevated intraocular pressure, which is itself caused by many different factors, depending on the type of glaucoma. However, in normal tension glaucoma, the cause of optic nerve damage is not always known.

Glaucoma Risk Factors, Signs, and Symptoms

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma and should receive glaucoma screening as part of regular vision exams. However, some risk factors for glaucoma include:

Ethnicity Persons with African, Asian, and Native American ancestry (including Hispanics)
Age Persons over 60 are six times more likely to get glaucoma.
Family History Primary open angle glaucoma, the most common form, is hereditary, and any family history of glaucoma is a high risk factor.
Steroid Use Some evidence links steroid use to glaucoma.
Eye Injury Eye injury can lead to secondary glaucoma. If you have experienced an eye injury, you should have follow-up exams to look for elevated intraocular pressure.
Other Risk Factors May include high myopia, diabetes, hypertension, and thin corneas.

Most glaucoma has no perceptible symptoms before vision loss begins. Closed angle or acute angle glaucoma, though, can be recognized by the sudden onset of blurry vision, halos, eye pain, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Glaucoma Diagnosis

Early detection of glaucoma through regular screenings is key to starting treatment and preventing vision loss. You should undergo glaucoma testing as part of vision exams:

Every 2-4 years before age 40
Every 1-3 years from age 40-54
Every 1-2 years from age 55-64
Every year at age 65+

If you are part of a high-risk population, you should be screened for glaucoma every 1-2 years starting at age 35.

Types of Glaucoma

There are many distinct forms of glaucoma. Most of them are associated with elevated intraocular pressure, in which the fluid pressure in the eye rises, leading to pressure on and damage of the optic nerve. Intraocular pressure rises when fluids produced in the eye are unable to leave through their normal exit route, known as the open angle (see diagram) between the iris and the cornea. They accumulate in the eye, leading to an increase in pressure. Currently recognized forms of glaucoma are:

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in which the open angle becomes clogged over time. It is the most common form of glaucoma.
Closed Angle Glaucoma, also known as acute angle glaucoma. It occurs when the iris bunches up over the angle, clogging the drainage canals. It can lead to a rapid, dangerous rise in intraocular pressure.
Secondary Glaucoma in which the open angle becomes clogged due to eye injury, inflammation of the eye, an occulotumor, cataracts, or diabetes.
Pediatric Glaucoma is glaucoma in children. The most common type is congenital, occurring when a child is born with elevated intraocular pressure (congenital). It affects about 1 in 10,000 infants.
Normal Tension Glaucoma is glaucoma that occurs without an increase in intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma treatment

Glaucoma treatment can prevent major vision loss if the condition is detected early. treatment options include:

Eye Drops
Glaucoma Surgery
Selective Laser treatment (SLT)

There is no cure for glaucoma. It requires lifelong treatment and monitoring. If you have been prescribed medication for glaucoma, you must continue using it according to your doctor's instructions. Glaucoma DOES have signs; it can be diagnosed before you notice any symptoms. Symptoms are subjective to the patient and may or may not be clear to the doctor. Signs are objective and clear to the doctor but may or may not be noticed by the patient.

Schedule an Eye Exam

If you have gone too long without a proper glaucoma screening, do not continue putting your vision at risk. Find a local ophthalmologist and schedule an eye exam with glaucoma testing today.