Patient Education

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US. Yet, glaucoma can be controlled with little or no further vision loss, if detected at an early stage and treated promptly. The disease process causes a loss of side vision that is painless and very gradual. Patients often do not even realize they are losing side vision, since central vision remains the same at 20/20. However, at later stages of glaucoma, there is potential to become completely blind. Vision loss by glaucoma cannot be recovered.

Comprehensive eye exams can detect glaucoma in its early stages. During the exam, your eye doctor should check the pressure of both eyes. Though there is an association of glaucoma with high eye pressure, glaucoma can occur in eyes with low pressure as well. Your eye doctor should check for the development of blind spots in your side vision. More importantly, an evaluation of the optic nerve head is needed to detect damage from glaucoma.

Glaucoma occurs more frequently in certain groups of people such as those who are over 40, diabetics, and people who are very nearsighted. Other risk factors include a family history of glaucoma, previous eye injuries and surgery, and high blood pressure. Despite the higher prevalence of glaucoma in these populations, anybody can develop glaucoma. Everybody needs to be tested during regular eye exams, even if your vision seems fine. There is no reason to lose vision from glaucoma. Treatment may be as easy as using pressure lowering eye drops.

It is basically up to you to protect your eyes from glaucoma. Have regular eye exams including glaucoma tests. Contact an eye care practitioner if you have any questions.