What is Glaucoma?
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Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. It is defined as a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, usually because of high pressure in the eye. Though highly treatable in its early stages, most cases of glaucoma aren’t diagnosed until it’s too late.
Unlike many other eye diseases, glaucoma often exhibits few if any initial signs or symptoms. Vision is typically unaffected, and any noticeable loss of peripheral vision usually does not occur until there has already been significant nerve damage. That is why it is important to be screened for glaucoma during your regular eye exams.
Causes
Congenital glaucoma rarely occurs in infants and children, but is most often caused by another eye disease or eye condition, which is called secondary glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma causes include:
- Use of medications containing steroids (eyedrops, pills, sprays, etc.)
- High or elevated blood pressure
- Eye injuries
- Eye inflammation
- Poor or reduced blood flow to your optic nerve
- And more
Risk Factors
There are a variety of factors that can increase your risk for glaucoma. See your eye doctor regularly if you have any of the following:
- Over 60 years old
- Family history of glaucoma
- Diabetes
- Corneas that are thin in the center
- African or Hispanic ancestry
- And more
Treatment
The most common way to treat glaucoma is with medicated eye drops, but that may change depending on the severity. Surgery is recommended for those with advanced glaucoma.
For more information, click https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma.