Learn about the risks for glaucoma and if you should be screened for it MyMedicalForum

Glaucoma affects more than 2 million Americans with about 10% going blind from the disease. Once detected, it can be treated to halt further vision damage, but unfortunately, lost vision cannot be restored.

While there are generally very few warning signs, diagnosis is the initial step to maintaining vision. Through the following questions and answers, discover glaucoma symptoms, the importance of testing and who might be at risk:

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a complicated disease that involves damage to the optic nerve, which can eventually lead to an irreversible loss of vision. It is not just one disease though – it’s actually a group of diseases.

What are the various types and symptoms of glaucoma?

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma – This type of glaucoma occurs when eyes’ drainage canals become clogged over time, leading to a rise in inner eye pressure.

Primary-open angle glaucoma initially affects side or peripheral vision, progressing to loss of visual sharpness as the disease advances.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma – This type of glaucoma occurs when the drainage canals get blocked or covered up due to the iris not opening as wide as it should when adjusting to light and dark. This causes a rapid build up of pressure in the eye.

Symptoms associated with angle-closure glaucoma involve headaches, eye pain, nausea, very blurred vision and rainbows around lights at night.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma – This variety of glaucoma happens when damage occurs to the optic nerve, but eye pressure is basically normal. The causes of this type are unknown and researchers continue to study why some optic nerves become damaged when there is basically no change in eye pressure.

What are some common tests for glaucoma?

Tonometry – Measures inner eye pressure
Ophthalmoscopy – Examines the shape and color of the optic nerve
Pachymetry – Measures the thickness of the cornea
Perimetry – Maps the entire field of vision
Gonioscopy – Measures the angle where the iris meets the cornea

What are the high risk factors for glaucoma?

Certain ethnic groups including African Americans, Hispanics and Asians
All people over 60
Family history
Steroid users
Eye injury
Nearsightedness
Hypertension
Corneal thickening

How often should a person be tested for glaucoma?

Every year for those with high risk factors
Every 2 – 4 years before 40
Every 1 – 3 years from 40 to 54
Every 1 – 2 years from 55 to 64
Every year after 65

It’s imperative to be tested according to the recommendations above. Not only does glaucoma account for more than 10 million medical visits annually, but those visits come at a cost of $1.5 billion each year. Maintaining healthy vision for as long as possible is important for all phases of life.

For more information about glaucoma, visit the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

If you found this article to be informative, consider sharing it with someone you know who may be at a risk for developing glaucoma.

Sources

http://www.glaucoma.org/index.php?gclid=CNC33fTLpL0CFUWVfgodaWUAEg

http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/glaucoma

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/glaucoma.htm

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