Newswise — About half of the
estimated 4 million Americans with glaucoma aren’t aware they have
the condition. Not knowing could mean a loss of vision, says the
July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
Glaucoma isn’t a single disease,
but a group of diseases. The common feature of these diseases is
pressure-induced damage to the optic nerve, a bundle of nerve fibers
that connect to the back of the eye.
The first sign of glaucoma you may
notice is loss of peripheral vision. But by then, vision loss is
usually significant and permanent. Your eye care provider can detect
glaucoma during routine eye exams, before vision loss occurs.
If glaucoma is diagnosed early,
treatments are typically effective in stopping or significantly
slowing vision loss. Eyedrops and oral drugs can be used to decrease
eye pressure. Surgery is an option if other treatments aren’t
effective.
If you’re over age 40, schedule a
glaucoma screening every two to four years. Over age 65, schedule a
screening every year or two.
If you’re at high risk for
glaucoma, your doctor could recommend earlier or more frequent
screenings. Risk factors are a family history of the disease,
African ancestry, diabetes, certain rare eye diseases and having had
an eye injury or having used any corticosteriod preparation for a
prolonged period.
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