Whether you’re aware of it or not, you use your full range of senses to interact with the world, and each contributes to the richness of your life experience. However, sight is the sense that most people rely on the most. According to an Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology report, most people fear losing their sight more than anything else.
If you’re in the majority and would like to keep your eyesight for the length of your life, it’s smart to know about one of the leading causes of blindness – glaucoma. This article explores the primary causes of the condition, shares glaucoma symptoms, and glaucoma causes to help you maintain your sight for as long as possible.
What Causes Glaucoma
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, over three million Americans are living with glaucoma—a condition that damages the optic nerve, which is essential for healthy vision. The most common cause of this damage is increased pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP).
There are several types of glaucoma, but the two most common are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. In both cases, fluid within the eye doesn’t drain properly, causing pressure to build up over time. This elevated pressure can gradually damage the optic nerve, often without noticeable symptoms until permanent vision loss occurs.
1. Open-angle glaucoma
The open-angle condition is typified by a gradual increase in pressure that increasingly impacts the optic nerve, leading to damage and possibly loss of sight. This type is usually painless, and glaucoma symptoms include loss of peripheral vision and tunnel vision in advanced cases.
2. Angle-closure glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma is the second most common form and is characterized by quickly rising pressure, which can limit how far the iris is able to open. Because pressure rises quickly, you may feel pain in the eye, there may be a sudden onset of visual disturbance or your stomach may be upset.
However, if the pupil is dilated during a sudden rise in eye pressure, it can cause a critical situation that can irreversibly damage the eyeball. Dilating drops can cause pupil dilation during an eye exam or by using allergy drops.
If you are experiencing eye pain and notice that your eyes’ irises are different sizes, these are glaucoma symptoms that you can’t ignore! Contact your eye doctor immediately. If the pressure continues to rise, the damage to your eye can also increase, leading to severe damage and potential loss of sight.
Who Is Most At Risk For Glaucoma?
According to the American Optometric Association, common factors that cause glaucoma include:
Glaucoma can affect people at any age—even infants—but the risk increases significantly as you get older. It’s one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide, and because early stages often show no symptoms, many people don’t realize they have it until it’s too late.
While everyone is at some risk, certain groups face a much higher likelihood of developing glaucoma. You may be at increased risk if you:
-
-
Are over 60 years old (risk increases with age)
-
Are of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent
-
Have a family history of glaucoma (especially a parent or sibling)
-
Are very nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic)
-
Use long-term steroid medications, such as for asthma or arthritis
-
Have elevated intraocular pressure (IOP)
-
Have a thin central cornea
-
Have experienced a previous eye injury or undergone eye surgery.
-
Diagnosing Glaucoma
Regular eye and vision examinations are critical to detecting glaucoma early. During a comprehensive optometric exam, your optometrist can conduct a painless procedure called tonometry to measure the internal pressure of your eye. When diagnosing glaucoma, your optometrist can also measure your field of vision and check the optic nerve to ensure it’s healthy.
Unfortunately, once glaucoma is detected, there are no current treatments that will fully restore healthy eyesight, but treatment can slow the progression of the disease.
Glaucoma Prevention
The first line of defense against glaucoma is to have regular eye exams with a qualified, properly licensed optometrist.
Another way to help reduce the risk of glaucoma is to take preventive measures, such as using proper eye protection while playing sports or using tools and machinery that could damage your eyes.
If you’re overweight and your doctor believes that the extra pounds are contributing to type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, consider reducing your weight as an additional glaucoma prevention measure. According to the Mayo Clinic, losing just five pounds can lower blood pressure.
Treating Glaucoma
Medicinal eye drops are the first treatment, followed by an outpatient procedure called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. When medications and laser treatment aren’t adequate to lower eye pressure, surgical therapies may be attempted, including Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, which places a stent into the eye’s drainage system.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with glaucoma, the condition must be monitored to help prevent further progression. For more information about glaucoma, contact us or read more.