Glaucoma: What You Need to Know

Eye exams aren’t just for checking vision to see if glasses are needed. An annual eye exam is vital to a person’s overall health, as it checks for common but serious eye diseases.

Glaucoma, also known as the silent thief of sight, is one such disease. During an annual eye exam by an optometrist, a glaucoma test is administered. Because of the complexity and development of the eye disease, a simple glaucoma test can make all the difference between saving one’s vision and blindness.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old. Fortunately, with early detection and treatment, blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented.

Learn all about the disease, including glaucoma symptoms, prevention, treatment, and glaucoma tests.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, causing the optic nerve to slowly die over time.

According to the American Optometric Association, the exact cause of glaucoma is unknown. The disease, however, is usually associated with fluid buildup in the front part of the eye. This excess fluid increases eye pressure, resulting in a damaged optic nerve.

Vision loss with glaucoma is a slow process. A person with glaucoma will gradually lose peripheral vision over time. The problem with glaucoma – and the reason an annual eye exam and glaucoma tests are critical – is because most glaucoma patients will not be able to detect vision loss until they are nearly blind. Blindness from glaucoma is permanent and not reversible.

4 Types of Glaucoma & Symptoms

1. Primary open-angle glaucoma.

• The most common form of glaucoma
• Optic nerve damage is painless and gradual
• People can slowly lose a large portion of vision before experiencing any vision problems
• A popular belief about the development of this form of glaucoma is the eye’s drainage system becomes inefficient over time. This can cause fluid to gradually increase, resulting in added pressure
• Symptoms:
  • Early stages: No obvious symptoms
  • Progressed stages: Blind spots in peripheral (side) vision

2. Angle-closure glaucoma.

• Also known as closed-angle glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma
• Less common form of glaucoma but very serious. It can be chronic (progressing gradually) or acute (appearing suddenly)
• People can lose vision within a day – even overnight – of its onset, resulting in a medical emergency
• This form of glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle in the eye becomes blocked, allowing the eye’s fluid to build up and increase pressure within the eye
• Symptoms: Early warning signs of an attack include:
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye pain
  • Halos
  • Mild headaches

3. Induced or Secondary glaucoma.

• Less common form of glaucoma
• This form of glaucoma results from an injury – such as a recent or past blow to the eye – or another eye disease
• It can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions – like cardiovascular problems, blood pressure, diabetes, etc. – medications, and eye abnormalities
• Symptoms:
  • Loss of peripheral vision over time
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye pain and eye redness
  • Halos

4. Normal-tension or low-tension glaucoma.

• Less common form of glaucoma
• This form of glaucoma does not see an increased pressure within the eye – the eye’s pressure is within “normal” range. Still, the optic nerve is damaged. The cause of this form is unknown.
• Symptoms: Blind spots in field of vision

Glaucoma Prevention

There is currently no way to prevent glaucoma. However, as discussed above, if glaucoma is diagnosed and treated early, there is a greater chance it can be controlled. With advancements in medicine, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss in glaucoma patients.

Glaucoma Test

During a comprehensive eye exam, glaucoma can be detected and diagnosed through a series of tests. These tests include:

• Visual acuity measurements that check to see if one’s vision has changed or is being affected.
• Tonometry, which measures the pressure inside the eye.
• Pachymetry, which measures corneal thickness. A thinner cornea increases the risk of glaucoma.
• Visual field testing, which measures side (peripheral) vision and central vision to determine if one’s field of vision has been affected by glaucoma.
• Assessment of the retina through photographs or scans to see if the optic nerve has experienced any changes over time.
• Additional testing, such as gonioscopy, which seeks to inspect the eye’s angle anatomy to see where the eye fluid drainage occurs.

Glaucoma Treatment

Optometrists seek to reduce the eye’s pressure in glaucoma treatment. Prescription eye drops are extremely common treatments. Additional forms of glaucoma treatment include:

• Medications
• Surgery
• Laser treatment
• Drainage implants

An annual eye exam is the best defense against vision loss from glaucoma

It’s important to reiterate that vision already lost to glaucoma cannot be restored. An annual eye exam is the best defense against vision loss or blindness from glaucoma.

Your eye health is a vital part of your total body health and longevity. At I Care Vision, we see to it that your vision receives the best care and treatment.

It’s never too early or too late to take care of your eyes. Learn about our effective treatment for serious eye diseases, or come see us soon for your annual eye exam.