Glaucoma is actually not a single disease, but a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve due to increased eye pressure. When detected in early stages, glaucoma can often be controlled, preventing severe vision loss and blindness. However, there are only a few of the glaucomas that have symptoms for the patient, and once vision is lost due to glaucoma, it can not be restored. These conditions can only be identified during a thorough eye exam.
Treatments for glaucoma all center on lowering the pressure in the eye, which slows the progression of damage to the optic nerve, and therefore preserving vision. The type of treatment best suited for patients, depends on the type of glaucoma the patient has been diagnosed with.
Prevention is possible only with early detection and treatment. Since symptoms are often absent, regular eye exams which include glaucoma screening are essential. While anyone can develop glaucoma, the following traits put you at higher risk:
- Hispanic or Latino descent, Asian descent
- African-Americans over the age of 40; (Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African-Americans, 6 times more common than Caucasians.)
- Family History of Glaucoma
- People with high glasses prescriptions
- Certain medications (steroids)
- Eye injury
