January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month (sponsored by Prevent Blindness America).  Since you are probably wondering what glaucoma is I’ll give a brief description of what happens in most (certainly not all) cases of glaucoma. 

In the back of your eye, there is an Optic Nerve which acts like a cable carrying visual information back to your brain to process.  In glaucoma, the fluid pressure in the eye is too high and causes the nerve to lose information-carrying fibers.  This loss of fibers causes the eye to lose its peripheral (off to the side) vision first, and can lead to the loss of central vision in more advanced cases.  This most-common glaucoma is called Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG).  It is usually slowly progressive and can be very difficult to detect.

So what are the symptoms of glaucoma?  Usually there are none.  Most often, the patient is completely unaware that there is any loss of vision, and their eyes feel just fine.  That’s why it is sometimes referred to as the “sneak thief” of sight.

What does your eye doctor do to look for glaucoma?  There are a number of tests included in an eye exam which we use to detect glaucomatous changes including a pressure check, a peripheral vision test and a careful examination of the optic nerve.  Photographs of the retina, which include the optic nerve, are very helpful in looking for subtle changes over time.

If your doctor feels that your pressure is too high and/or detects changes consistent with glaucoma there are treatments available.  These include pressure-lowering eye drops, laser surgeries and other pressure-lowering surgeries. 

So what to do?  Have your eyes examined on a regular basis, even if your vision is “just fine”.  Let your doctor know about any family history of glaucoma.  And make sure you take a list of your medications and health conditions.

Advertisement