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Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, the cord connecting the eye to the brain. This cord carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma may not have any symptoms in the beginning. BUT, it may slowly cause permanent vision loss. This is why it is often called the “silent thief of sight”. Catching glaucoma early and seeing an eye doctor frequently is very important so we can treat it and prevent someone from going blind!
Glaucoma can affect anyone. Some people are at a higher risk of getting glaucoma:
1. People older than 60
2. Relatives of glaucoma patients (brothers, sisters, parents, children) are more likely to get glaucoma and at a younger age
3. Those who are of African American, Latino, or Asian descent are more likely to get glaucoma, and often at a younger age
4. Extremely near-sighted or far-sighted people
5. Those with increased eye pressure
6. Those who use steroid medications
We have a lot of options to help treat glaucoma! Just like blood pressure, each eye has an eye pressure that can change. We can slow down or prevent blindness from glaucoma by lowering the eye pressure. Eye doctors can help lower eye pressure by using:
1. Laser treatment
2. Prescription eye drops
3. Surgery
To learn more about treatment options, click here.
Click here to return to the Home page and learn more about glaucoma.
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