7 Facts You May Not Know About Glaucoma | National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that can lead to vision loss. While it’s likely that most people don’t think about glaucoma unless they’ve been diagnosed with it, it’s a disease that we should all know and understand. Some common misconceptions about glaucoma can lead to confusion and diagnosis after vision loss has already started to occur. For example, some people think glaucoma only affects adults in their 70s and 80s.
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Understanding more about glaucoma may protect your eyes and save your vision. Below are seven facts you may not know about glaucoma.
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1. Glaucoma Is Quite Common

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, about three million people in the United States have glaucoma. The foundation also estimates that up to 12 percent of all cases of blindness is due to glaucoma. The National Eye Institute estimates that number will double in the next 25 years.
 
Only about 50 percent of people with glaucoma know they have the disease. Although glaucoma is a common eye disease, many people do not understand much about the condition. A survey by the Glaucoma Research Foundation found that only 20 percent of people knew glaucoma led to increased eye pressure. Most people also thought they would have early symptoms.
 
The lack of symptoms, along with a lack of awareness about the condition, often prevents an early diagnosis. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to a loss of side vision, and eventually, central vision is also lost.
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2. Glaucoma Causes Damage to the Optic Nerve & Can Lead to Vision Loss

Glaucoma leads to increased pressure in the eye, which compresses and damages the optic nerve. The eye produces fluid continuously, which drains out of the eye to keep pressure steady. If too much fluid is produced or it does not drain properly, fluid builds.

The buildup of fluid inside the eye increases the pressure in the eye, which then presses on the optic nerve, causing damage. The optic nerve sends signals to the brain, which are then interpreted as the images we see. If the optic nerve is damaged, it can cause partial or complete vision loss. Lost vision cannot be restored once glaucoma damages the optic nerve.
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3. Certain Factors Increase Risk of Developing Glaucoma

Although anyone can develop glaucoma, certain factors increase your chances of developing the disease. Understanding your risk factors allows you to know how frequently you should have a comprehensive eye exam in order to catch the condition early.
 
Risk factors for developing glaucoma include long-term use of corticosteroid eye drops, having a parent with the condition, and having certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. People who are Hispanic or African American are also at a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
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4. Glaucoma Does Not Only Affect Elderly Adults

One of the main misconceptions about glaucoma is that it only affects people in their later years. Although glaucoma is more common in people over 60, it can affect younger adults. Those with risk factors for developing glaucoma are especially at risk for developing the disease at a younger age.
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5. Early Detection Is the Key to Reducing the Chances of Vision Loss from Glaucoma

Symptoms of glaucoma, such as blurry vision and decreased side vision, often do not occur until the damage is already done. In fact, changes in vision may be one of the first symptoms. Fortunately, your eye doctor can detect glaucoma before you experience symptoms. One of the signs of glaucoma is increased eye pressure. A comprehensive eye exam performed by your ophthalmologist can detect increased eye pressure.
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6. Although There Is No Cure, Glaucoma Can Be Treated

Research continues to prevent and treat glaucoma. Currently, there is no cure, but early treatment may slow the progression of the disease and preserve vision. The most common treatment is eye drops, which lower eye pressure by either promoting fluid drainage from the eye or reducing the amount of fluid the eye makes. Additional treatments include laser procedures and conventional surgery.
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7. Certain Yoga Poses May Increase Eye Pressure & May Need to Be Avoided with Glaucoma

Yoga has become an increasingly popular form of exercise for people of all age. If you have glaucoma, certain poses may increase the pressure in your eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, inverted yoga positions, such as a headstand, downward dog pose, and forward bend may increase eye pressure in people with glaucoma and should be avoided. That doesn’t mean you have to give up yoga if you have glaucoma. You just need to modify positions where your head is below your body.

Remember, early detection is your best bet to prevent vision loss due to glaucoma. If you would like to schedule an eye exam with one of our ophthalmologists who specializes in glaucoma or have any questions, please call our office at 508-746-8600.