What you don't know about glaucoma could cost you your sight. Find out how much you know — or don't know — about one of the leading causes of blindness. Are you at high risk?
1. An estimated 3 million Americans have glaucoma. About half of them don't know they have it.
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About half of all the people who have glaucoma do not know that they have the condition. Glaucoma is characterized by damage to the optic nerve, which usually results from increased pressure within the eye caused by poor drainage of fluid. With early detection, most glaucoma can be treated and controlled.
2. Glaucoma is an equal-opportunity condition. It robs the vision of every ethnic and racial group more or less equally.
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Glaucoma is of particular concern for African-Americans. Research suggests they are four to five times more likely than whites to develop the condition, and up to seven times more likely to lose their sight as a result of glaucoma. Of all the threats to vision, glaucoma is the No. 1 cause of blindness among African-Americans.
3. Most African-Americans know about the danger of glaucoma.
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Actually, fewer than 25% of African-Americans know about glaucoma. In recent years, programs and advertisements have been developed to increase awareness and motivate people to get their eye pressures checked.
4. Glaucoma usually has no symptoms.
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The vision changes caused by the most common form of glaucoma usually develop gradually, and without pain. By the time many people recognize glaucoma for what it is, damage has been done to the optic nerve and vision may be damaged permanently.
5. New surgical techniques can restore areas of lost vision in about 45 percent of all cases.
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Once the fibers of the optic nerve are damaged, they cannot be repaired. However, promising research is under way to investigate ways in which the fibers of the optic nerve might regenerate.
6. Glaucoma runs in families.
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Glaucoma does tend to run in families. However, at this time there is no way to predict which family members will develop glaucoma.
7. Glaucoma is exclusively a disease of adulthood.
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Glaucoma is a word used to describe a group of diseases affecting the eye. One rare form is called juvenile-onset glaucoma, and it affects children over the age of 3.
8. Getting regular eye exams will not prevent glaucoma.
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Glaucoma cannot be prevented. However, with early detection, glaucoma can be treated and vision can be preserved. There is some disagreement among experts, but many authorities recommend regular screening for glaucoma, especially for those at high-risk, including African-Americans, relatives of people with glaucoma, and those with diabetes or very nearsighted vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology currently recommends regular screening for people at high risk starting at age 20. The Academy recommends screening all adults between the ages 40–65 every two to four years; and after age 65, every one to two years.
