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Glaucoma

Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease usually associated with pressure inside the eye that is too high and causes damage to the optic nerve. This elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) can result in glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss.

Glaucoma is a chronic disease that usually has no symptoms. It may damage your optic nerve before you notice actual changes in your vision. Even though glaucoma cannot be cured, lowering your IOP can reduce your risk of vision loss. Glaucoma affects about 3 million Americans today but only half know they have it. Common risk factors for glaucoma are:

● Over the age of 40
● African American or Hispanic/Latino descent
● Having a relative with glaucoma
● Diagnosed with diabetes
● Having higher than normal eye pressure.

Although glaucoma cannot be cured, progression of the disease can be stopped. Early detection and treatment to lower IOP are the best defense against glaucoma. There are three ways to lower eye pressure. There are medicines (eye drops or pills), laser treatment, and surgery.

How does glaucoma affect my eyes?
Glaucoma can cause vision loss as a result of buildup of fluid in the eyes. The body naturally produces this fluid to keep the eye nourished and healthy. It then drains through the eyes’ natural “drainage pipes”.

In some individuals, this fluid does not drain properly. The eyes’ “drainage pipes” become backed up like a clogged drain, causing increased eye pressure. If IOP remains too high for too long, it can cause damage to the optic nerve and may result in permanent visual field loss. Reducing IOP is the best way to manage glaucoma or ocular hypertension and prevent vision loss. It is important to lower your IOP because this damages the optic nerve.

How is glaucoma treated?
The most common form of treatment to reduce high IOP is medication in the form of eye drops, which typically must be used everyday. It is very important to take glaucoma medications just as your doctor instructs you. The medication can reduce your IOP and help preserve your vision. Compliance with your eye drops may make the difference between saving your sight and losing some or all of your vision.