Understanding Symptoms, Risk Factors & Early Detection of Glaucoma | National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Did you know that glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults?

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve, a structure that transfers visual information from the retina (the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye) to the brain. Damage to the optic nerve can affect vision and eventually cause vision loss.
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Understanding risk factors and symptoms of glaucoma and receiving an early diagnosis can help protect and preserve vision. That’s why we’ve dedicated this article to helping you understand glaucoma risk, symptoms, and prevention of vision loss. Keep reading to learn more.
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Understanding Glaucoma

To understand more about glaucoma, it’s helpful to learn a little bit about the eye. In the front part of our eyes, there is a clear fluid called the aqueous humor, or intraocular fluid. Aqueous fluid is not the same as tears. The glands on the outside of our eyes make tears, which then moisten the outer surface of our eyes. Aqueous fluid is made continuously and secreted inside the eye. The fluid nourishes the eye and helps to maintain proper eye pressure.
 
Aqueous humor fluid moves in and out of the eye through a structure called the drainage angle and is absorbed into the bloodstream. Think of the structure like a drainage canal.
 
The correct balance of fluid in the eye is needed to maintain proper eye pressure. When the balance of fluid is disrupted, as it is in glaucoma, it can lead to an increase in eye pressure. The balance of fluid may be altered if there is too much fluid production or there is a problem with the fluid draining properly. When the fluid builds up, it increases pressure in the eye, which compresses the optic nerve, causing damage and eventually vision changes.
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Symptoms of Glaucoma

There are two primary forms of glaucoma: Open angle glaucoma and closed angle (also called narrow-angle) glaucoma. One thing that makes glaucoma especially worrisome is that there are typically no symptoms associated with the condition early in the progression of the disease. That means you can have glaucoma without even knowing. People with glaucoma cannot recognize a buildup of fluid in the eye or a problem with the drainage system.
 
Unfortunately, symptoms of glaucoma do not develop until there is already damage to the optic nerve. Although you cannot detect glaucoma yourself, there is good news though. Your ophthalmologist can diagnose the condition through a comprehensive eye exam, before it leads to damage to the optic nerve.
 
When symptoms do appear, they may include the following:

• Blind spots peripheral (side) vision
• Blurry or distorted vision
• Pain in the eyes

• Seeing halos

 
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your eye doctor immediately. You should have a complete eye exam as soon as possible to determine the cause.
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Risk Factors for Developing Glaucoma 

Although glaucoma can develop in anyone, certain factors put individuals at a higher risk of developing the condition. Knowing your risk factors is important, so your eye doctor can advise you properly on the frequency with which you should have eye exams.
 
Factors that increase your risk of glaucoma include:

• African American ancestry: According to the National Eye Institute, people who are African American have a higher chance of developing glaucoma. African Americans are also at a higher risk of developing the condition at a younger age than other races.
• Being past the age of 60: Adults past the age of 60, especially those of Hispanic descent, are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
• Having a family history of glaucoma: According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, having family members, such as a parent, who have a history of glaucoma also increases your risk of developing the condition.
• Past eye injury: An injury to the eye, such as blunt trauma, can change the fluid drainage system and increase the pressure in the eye, increasing the chances of glaucoma.

• Steroid use: Long-term steroid use may lead to increased eye pressure and raise your risk of developing glaucoma.
• Having certain health problems: People who have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, have an increased risk of glaucoma.

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What You Can Do to Prevent Vision Loss from Glaucoma

Currently, there is no known way of preventing glaucoma. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to decrease the chances of blindness from glaucoma though. The number one, most important thing to do to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is have regular eye exams. Although symptoms often do not appear until glaucoma has progressed, your ophthalmologist can diagnose the condition earlier through special eye exams.
 
It’s also important to be aware of your risk factors. The frequency of your eye exam and screening for glaucoma may vary based on your risk of developing the disease. The Glaucoma Research Foundation recommends a comprehensive eye exam to screen for glaucoma every year after age 35 for people who have risk factors for developing glaucoma. If you do not have risk factors, the following schedule is recommended:

• Every two to four years for people age 35 to 40
• Every one to three years for people age 40 to 54
• Every one to two years for people age 55 to 64

• Every six to 12 months after the age of 65

 
To learn more about glaucoma, please stay tuned for our upcoming glaucoma blog posts and visit the following pages on our website:

• Glaucoma

• Glaucoma Videos

 
If you would like to schedule an eye exam with one of our ophthalmologists who specializes in glaucoma or have any questions about your risk factors for glaucoma, please call our office at 508-746-8600.