Glaucoma affects roughly
3 MILLION AMERICANS
Educating yourself about glaucoma and understanding the many risks associated with it is an important step to help protect and preserve your eye health.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that lead to the progressive degeneration of the optic nerve, causing a loss of nerve tissue and potential blindness. The cause of these diseases are not always known, however, they can result in optic nerve damage through elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) or a restriction in blood supply to the nerve, also known as poor perfusion.
Either way, the optic nerve progressively loses viability, resulting in visual field or peripheral vision loss. This vision loss will usually first appear in the peripheral vision, a warning sign that Glaucoma may be present or on the horizon. A routine eye exam can often determine if you are predisposed to Glaucoma, steps you can take to prevent and/or treat it.
While glaucoma can happen to anyone, here are some common risk factors that can contribute to the diagnosis:
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the eye's drainage channel remains fully open. POAG includes both high-tension glaucoma—caused by elevated eye pressure from excess aqueous fluid or insufficient drainage—and normal-tension glaucoma, caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve rather than increased eye pressure.
This type occurs when the drainage channel in the eye, located at the angle formed between the cornea and the iris, closes or becomes blocked. The risk of the drainage channel closing increases with age in certain individuals. If the channel closes, permanent optic nerve damage can occur in only hours.
This type of glaucoma can occur as the result of an injury, eye surgery, infection, or tumour growth in or around the eye, causing pressure to rise. It has also been linked to a variety of medical conditions, medications, and eye abnormalities.
This type is caused when the drainage angle in the eye formed by the cornea and the iris closes or becomes blocked. As you age, the drainage angle between the cornea and the iris can shut, creating a buildup of eye pressure and fluid.
A routine eye exam can help identify early signs or risk factors of Glaucoma. At FYidoctors, many of our optometrists have advanced diagnostic imaging tools for Glaucoma testing and diagnosis:
Although there is no cure for glaucoma, treatment and prevention protocols do exist to prevent further damage and vision loss. Treatment typically is offered in one of two ways—medication or surgery.
The most common beta blocker used is timolol. These drugs reduce production of aqueous humor (fluid in the eye), which will lower pressure.
Alpha agonists decrease aqueous humor productions and increase the outflow of liquid from the eye. Both activities lower IOP. An example of an alpha agonist is brimonidine.
Common CAIs are brinzolamide or dorzolamide. They are applied to the eye and will also decrease the production of aqueous humor.
A common miotic is pilocarpine. This particular medication increases outflow of liquid and decreases IOP.
If medication is unsuccessful, doctors may recommend that a patient should consider having surgery. A routine eye exam is the best way to determine if you are predisposed to Glaucoma, steps you can take to prevent and/or treat it.
Source: Glaucoma Research Foundation
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, typically caused by elevated intraocular pressure. It often begins with peripheral vision loss and, if untreated, can progress to central vision loss and blindness.
Glaucoma often has no early symptoms—that's why regular comprehensive eye exams are essential. An optometrist can measure intraocular pressure, examine the optic nerve, and perform visual field and OCT imaging tests to detect changes before you notice them.
Adults over 40, anyone with a family history of glaucoma, people of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent, and individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe nearsightedness should be screened regularly.
Glaucoma can have hereditary components—having a family member with glaucoma increases your risk. While it cannot always be prevented, early detection and consistent treatment can slow or halt its progression and protect your vision.
Most adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every 1–2 years. If you're over 60 or at elevated risk, your optometrist may recommend yearly exams or more frequent monitoring.
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