Glaucoma:Silent Thief of Sight

• Did you know glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in black Americans?
  The Glaucoma Research Foundation reports this disease occurs
  five to eight times more often in black Americans than Caucasians.
  Exactly why this happens is not known, but research points to
  a genetic component. Research has also shown glaucoma occurs
  earlier and progresses more rapidly in black Americans.
• What is glaucoma?
  Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve.
  Pressure associated with build up of a clear fluid found
  normally in the eye causes this damage which leads to irreversible
  vision loss or blindness. Good vision depends on a healthy optic nerve.
  

  The most common form of glaucoma, open angle glaucoma,
  can strike without warning, pain or symptoms.Thus, it is called
  "the sneak, thief of sight".

  A second form of glaucoma, closed angle, is far less common. Its onset
  is sudden with severe eye pain, eye redness and a change in vision. Closed angle
  glaucoma requires immediate medical attention.

• Beside race, what other factors contibute to the disease in black Americans?
  1. Family History
  2. Age greater than 40
  3. Diabetes and Hypertension
  4. Steroid use over a long time period
  5. Very near-sighted or far-sighted
  6. History of previous eye injury
• What can I do to protect my sight?
  Early diagnosis and treatment is key in preventing vision loss from glaucoma.
  Glaucoma is detected by a complete(comprehensive)eye exam.
  This exam includes tests to determine how well you can see(visual field and acuity),
  whether there is damage to the optic nerve and measurement of pressure inside the eye(tonometry).
  Immediate treatment for early-stage, open-angel glaucoma can delay progression of the disease.
  
• What are the treatments for this condition?
  Eye drops(drug therapy) and surgery are the two standard treatments for glaucoma.
  Once vision loss occurs, it cannot be reversed. Fortunately,further vision loss can be prevented once glaucoma is detected.

Learn More About Glaucoma

http://www.glaucoma.org
American Optometric Association
National Eye Institute