Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment
in the United States. A simple painless eye exam can detect the disease.
With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can usually be controlled
and blindness prevented.
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. Glaucoma
damages the optic nerve when the pressure of the eye becomes
too high. Proper eye pressure is maintained by a slow but
constant flow of the clear liquid in the eye, called the
aqueous humor, to the outside of the eye through a microscopic
drainage system. The liquid is not related to the tears on
the outer surface of the eye. Glaucoma is usually due to
a blocked drainage system where the excess fluid does not
drain properly. The increased eye pressure
damages the optic nerve over time.
Glaucoma can affect anyone from newborn infants to the
elderly. It has been estimated that up to 3 million Americans
have glaucoma. At least half of those people do not know
they have it because glaucoma usually has no symptoms.
Risk factors for glaucoma include:
At least 45 years old without regular eye exams
A family history of glaucoma
Abnormally high eye pressure
African descent
Nearsightedness
Diabetes
Previous eye injury
Regular, long-term use of cortisone/steroid products
