Glaucoma: what you need to know about this type of eye disease

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States, affecting over three million people. It’s been nicknamed the “silent thief of sight,” as noticeable symptoms often don’t appear until vision loss has already begun. However the subject merits some attention, especially on the part of older Americans, as the risk of being affected by glaucoma increases with age.

What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve, a part of the eye that carries visual information from the retina to the brain. Primary open-angle glaucoma is by far the most common type. This disease occurs when the eye no longer drains properly. The resulting back up of aqueous fluid, the fluid that hydrates the eyes, puts pressure on the optic nerve.

As mentioned, Glaucoma doesn’t typically present symptoms. It develops gradually and painlessly. The first noticeable symptom is the loss of peripheral vision. But as this occurs progressively, it can in fact go unnoticed for a long time.

Diagnosing and treating glaucoma
If it’s diagnosed early on, treatments involving medication, eye drops or laser surgery can generally prevent further vision loss. If left untreated, permanent vision loss is likely to occur.

Eye doctors are able to check eye pressure and perform other tests to diagnose glaucoma, even when it’s at its earliest stages. For this reason, regular checkups with an eye doctor are your best defense against this disease. If you’re over the age of 40, you should get a complete eye exam every one to two years.