What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when there is damage to the optic nerve, usually from high intraocular pressure (fluid pressure) and it results in visual field loss. Glaucoma is called the “sneak thief of sight” because patients may not notice any change in vision until significant loss has occurred, which is why regular monitoring is essential. When caught early, it is easily treatable.

Who is at risk?
Risk factors include:

•  Race: African Americans or races with darker skin are at a greater risk for developing Glaucoma. In addition to higher frequency, glaucoma often occurs earlier in life in African Americans or races with darker skin. It is recommended to receive a thorough check for glaucoma every one to two years after age 35.

• Extreme near sidedness: People who have a nearsighted prescriptions of -3.00 or greater may have a higher risk of developing Glaucoma than people with little or no myopia. Simply being nearsighted does not mean you will develop Glaucoma, but if you have any other risk factors and you are also nearsighted you should consider having your eye doctor do a complete evaluation every year or two to rule out this disease.

• Family history of Glaucoma: Although glaucoma tends to run in families, it does not affect all family members equally. Your overall risk increases with the more first-degree relatives (parents, siblings) affected by Glaucoma in your family. If you have family members with Glaucoma, you should be screened regularly.

• Thickness of cornea: Central Corneal Thickness is a powerful clinical factor in determining Glaucoma severity at the initial examination. Measuring Central Corneal Thickness may help to identify Glaucoma patients that are at a high risk for progression.

• Diabetes: Patients with Diabetes are at a greater risk of developing Glaucoma. Patients with diabetes should be check more regularly.

Remember, even if you do not have one or more of these risk factors, it is still important to get checked regularly.

Treatment:
While there is no cure for Glaucoma, it is easily treatable. Once caught, Glaucoma is monitored by visual field testing and scanning images of the optic nerve. It is most commonly treated with prescription eye drops, but your eye doctor will recommend the best treatment plan for you.

If left untreated, Glaucoma could result in restricted field of vision, and even blindness.

When should you get checked:
The risk for Glaucoma increases with age, therefore you should get checked more frequently as you get older.

20s and 30s, you should be checked every 5 years.

40s and 50s, you should be checked every 2-3 years.

60s or older you should be checked once a year.

**If Glaucoma runs in your family or you have one or more of the above risk factors you should be checked more often than stated above.

Remember, you cannot wait for symptoms of pain or vision loss, or you may be risking permanent damage. The best way to control Glaucoma is to get ahead of it, so make an appointment Today!

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