Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that deal with increased intraocular pressure.

With increased intraocular pressure comes damage to the optic nerve. If the optic nerve becomes damaged, this leads to permanent vision loss.

There are two categories of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle. With open-angle glaucoma, vision loss may occur at a slower rate. It is difficult to know you have open-angle glaucoma because the symptoms are so subtle.

With closed-angle glaucoma, vision loss occurs much faster. Patients with closed-angle glaucoma may experience significant pain.

Like open-angle glaucoma, it’s hard to notice symptoms. Most patients become extremely uncomfortable due to the pain, and then get diagnosed.

If glaucoma is detected quickly, patients are able to avoid permanent vision loss. Glaucoma can be detected during annual eye exams with your eye doctor.

Glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight. This is because there are very few symptoms of glaucoma. For many patients, an increase in intraocular pressure has already started after diagnosis.

When glaucoma is not treated, it leads to eventual blindness. Unlike some eye conditions, blindness due to glaucoma is permanent.

This is why it’s important to go to the eye doctor if you notice any unusual vision loss immediately!

Glaucoma can develop in anyone, but there are certain risk factors that make you more likely.

A big one to keep in mind is genetics. If you have a family member who has glaucoma, you are much more likely to develop glaucoma.

Other risk factors to consider include being over the age of 40 and if you are African, Hispanic, or Asian. Patients who know they are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma should see an eye doctor yearly. Other risk factors to remember:

• you already have high eye pressure
• you are nearsighted or farsighted
• you have thin corneas
• you are diabetic
• you are not in good general health
• you have had previous eye injuries
• you use long-term steroid medications for other conditions

Treatment options for glaucoma depend on what kind of glaucoma you have. Your eye doctor will also take into consideration the severity of your vision loss.

If a patient has open-angle glaucoma, the most common treatment option are eye drops. Eye drops are usually prescribed to help lower optical pressure.

If eye drops are not helping, other forms of treatment will be considered. These include laser treatments like a trabeculoplasty or traditional glaucoma surgery.

With closed-angle or angle closure glaucoma, there is an element of immediacy. If angle-closure glaucoma is not treated as soon as possible, blindness results in just a few days! To lower intraocular pressure, pills and drops are used.

In serious emergencies, a procedure called an iridotomy will become necessary. This procedure helps to reduce pressure on the eye and protects the eye from emergency later.

With modern glaucoma treatments, most patients do not require surgery. Eye drops have become more effective.

This allows intraocular pressure to be relieved without needing surgery. If drops or other treatment options don’t work, surgery will become necessary.

There is currently no cure for glaucoma, but there are things you can do reduce your risks of developing it. Like the rest of your body, your general health can end up affecting your eyes.

It’s important to live a healthy lifestyle when possible. This means exercising regularly and eating nutrient-rich foods. Talk to your doctor about adding more omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. This can be with fish oil pills, or by incorporating fatty fish like salmon in.

Want more information about glaucoma and how it could affect you? Schedule an appointment with the doctors at Clarus Vision Clinic today!