HEALTH - E

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to damage of the eye's optic nerve. The normal fluid pressure in the eyes (intraocular pressure) slowly rises, leading to vision loss, or even blindness.

A healthy eye produces a clear fluid called the aqueous humor. The eye continually drains the fluid when new aqueous humor is produced. If something blocks the drainage of the fluid, then intraocular pressure rises.

If this pressure is not controlled, damage can be done to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the structure that is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. Loss of vision occurs.

The damage is progressive with loss of peripheral vision first, followed by reduction in central vision, and potentially blindness.

While there are different types of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma is the most common type, affecting about 3 million Americans. Other types of glaucoma include: low-tension or normal-tension glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, childhood glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, primary and secondary glaucoma.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA?
In open-angle glaucoma, most people do not notice any symptoms until they begin to lose vision. Small blind spots may occur as the optic nerve fibers are damaged by glaucoma. These blind spots are usually in the side or peripheral vision. People may notice that they can see things clearly in front of them, but they miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. Many people do not notice the blind spots until significant optic nerve damage has occurred. If the entire nerve is destroyed, blindness will then result.

In later stages of the disease, symptoms include:

loss of side vision
inability to adjust the eye to darkened room
difficulty focusing on close work
rainbow colored rings or halos around light
frequent need to change eyeglass prescriptions

HOW CAN I KNOW IF I HAVE GLAUCOMA?
The following tests may be performed by your eye care professional to detect glaucoma:

VISUAL ACUITY TEST: the common eye chart test which measures how well you see at various distances.
PUPIL DILATION: allows a better view of the optic nerve to check for signs of damage. Glaucoma is found most often during a dilated eye exam.
VISUAL FIELD TEST: measures a person's side (peripheral) vision. If you have lost side vision, it may be an indication of glaucoma.
TONOMETRY: a test using an instrument that measures tension and fluid pressure inside the eye. One type of tonometry uses a purple light to measure pressure. Another is the "air puff" test which measures the resistance of the eye to a puff of air.

HOW CAN I KNOW IF I'M AT RISK FOR GLAUCOMA?
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but some people are at higher risk than others.

RACE: African Americans are five times more likely to develop glaucoma than whites. Glaucoma is four times more likely to cause blindness in African Americans than in whites.
AGE: Persons over age 60 are more at risk; African-Americans over age 40.
FAMILY HISTORY: Persons with a family history of glaucoma are at higher risk.
HIGH INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE: persons with an elevated IOP (>21) at an increased risk.
DIABETIC
Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
Take the test below to determine your risk factor. If your risk factor equals 4 or more, you are at increased risk for glaucoma and should get an eye exam. However everyone over the age of 60 should have an annual eye exam.

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HOW CAN GLAUCOMA BE TREATED?
There is No Cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often control it. Treatments may include:

Medications: some medicines cause the eye to produce less fluid. Other medicines lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye.

Laser Surgery: A strong beam of light is focused on the part of the anterior chamber where the fluid leaves the eye. This will result in a series of small changes, which makes it easier for fluid to leave the eye.

Conventional Surgery: The purpose of convention surgery is to create a new opening for fluid to leave the eye. This surgery is usually reserved for patients whose pressure cannot be controlled with medicine or laser surgery.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MY VISION?
It is important to have comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis.

Have your eyes examined through dilated pupils every 2 years by an eye care professional.
It is recommended that African-Americans over age 40, have exams every 1-2 years
Persons over age 65, have exams yearly.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Ask your doctor.
http://www.preventblindness.org/
http://www.glaucoma.org/
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucom_fact.htm