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Glaucoma Quick Statistics
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Approximately 4 million Americans have glaucoma and only half of those with
glaucoma know they have it.
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Glaucoma accounts for 9-12% of all cases of blindness in the U.S.
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Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world.
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Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for African-Americans.
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There are approximately 65 million cases of glaucoma worldwide.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition that occurs when fluid pressure inside the eye
progressively increases. This pressure increase can damage the optic nerve and
cause vision loss or blindness in severe cases. There are several types of
glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma – Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of
glaucoma and is typically related to aging. As our bodies age, the normal flow
of fluid through the eye may become impeded as the eye’s drainage system may
not function effectively. As a result, an increase in pressure is observed and
this in effect may lead to damage of the optic nerve. Symptoms of open-angle
glaucoma are typically not apparent until it progresses into later stages when
peripheral vision deteriorates. Narrow-angle glaucoma – Narrow-angle glaucoma
or angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle becomes blocked by the
iris. This results in a sudden increase of pressure in the eye and can lead to
severe damage in vision. Symptoms of narrow-angle glaucoma include headaches
after being in a dark room, nausea, blurred vision, redness, severe eye pain,
and colored haloes around lights. Congenital glaucoma – Congenital glaucoma
describes a condition in which a person is born with a defect that obstructs
and slows the drainage of fluid from the eye. Symptoms of congenital glaucoma
include sensitivity to light, cloudiness in vision, and tearing. Pigmentary
glaucoma – Pigmentary glaucoma results when pigment from the iris sheds from
abrasive rubbing of the iris on the lens of the eye. Flakes of the iris pigment
may plug and block drainage sites in the trabecular meshwork and cause pressure
to increase in the eye. Pigmentary glaucoma is usually asymptomatic. Secondary
glaucoma – Secondary glaucomas occur as a result of other conditions. Secondary
glaucomas are usually associated with eye injuries, tumors, advanced forms of
cataracts, inflammations, and infections.
What causes glaucoma?
Even today, the cause of glaucoma is unknown in many cases. Glaucoma can occur
in seemingly normal eyes without any symptoms. There does not seem to be any
relationship between the development of glaucoma and the lifestyle of an
individual. For example, there seems to be no association between the
consumption of certain foods and the occurrence of glaucoma. In addition, there
seems to be no direct relationship between medical conditions such as high
blood pressure and glaucoma. In special cases, glaucoma can occur indirectly as
a result of other conditions such as eye tumors, inflammations, or eye trauma.
Who is at risk for glaucoma?
Virtually anyone can develop glaucoma. However, those who are most susceptible
to open-angle glaucoma include:
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People with a family history of glaucoma
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The elderly (60 years or older)
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African Americans 40 years or older
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People with diabetes
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People with a history of eye trauma
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Hispanics 60 years or older
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Glaucoma should only be diagnosed by a qualified professional. There are
several ways that an ophthalmologist can diagnose glaucoma. Your
ophthalmologist will check the pressure of your eyes and may test your eyes’
refractive capabilities. If necessary, you may then undergo a visual field
examination which tests your peripheral vision. If may also be necessary for
you to undergo a retinal examination which will require the instillation of
eyedrops to dilate your pupils. Because glaucoma has little or no symptoms, it
is important for individuals to be regularly checked for glaucoma to prevent
serious vision loss. Does an increase in eye pressure mean that I have
glaucoma? Increased pressure does not always mean that an individual has
glaucoma. However, it may be an indication that the individual is at risk of
developing glaucoma. An individual is diagnosed as having glaucoma only if the
optic nerve is damaged. Regardless, a pressure increase should prompt the
individual to seek professional care to monitor the pressure in the eye. Will I
develop glaucoma if I have increased eye pressure? Not every individual with
increased eye pressure will develop glaucoma. It varies person to person. Some
people are able to tolerate higher levels of pressure than others.
Is glaucoma life-threatening?
Glaucoma is not life-threatening. The disease affects only vision.
Is there a cure for glaucoma?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma.
Are there ways to manage glaucoma? What are some of the treatments available?
Yes. With early detection, adequate treatment, and adherence to a medical
regimen, people can live normally even with glaucoma. Most patients with
glaucoma will be prescribed medications to control eye pressure. Some common
medications to treat glaucoma include: Prostaglandin Analogs- Prostaglandin
analogs increase the drainage of fluid from the eye thereby lowering pressure.
Common prostaglandin analogs include Latanoprost (Xalatan), Bimatoprost
(Lumigan), Travoprost (Travatan), and Rescula. Beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents-
Also called beta blockers, these blocking agents decrease the amount of fluid
the eye produces. Examples of beta blockers are Timolol (Timoptic, Timoptic XE,
Betimol), Carteolol (Ocupress), Betaxolol (Betoptic), Metipranolol
(OptiPranolol), and Levobunolol (Betagan).
Adrenergic agents- Similar to beta blockers, these drops decrease the amount of
fluid the eye produces thereby reducing pressure. Common adrenergic agents
include Apraclonidine (Iopidine), Dipivefrin (Propine), and Brimodine
(Alphagan). Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors also
lower eye pressure by reducing the production of fluid in the eye. These
medications are usually derivatives of sulfa drugs and should not be used by
anyone who is allergic to sulfa. Common carbonic anhydrase inhibitors include
Dorzolamide (Trusopt), Brinzolamide (Azopt), Acetazolamide (Diamox), and
Methazolamide (Neptazane). Parasympathomimetic Agents- Also called miotics,
these medications pull on the muscles around the drainage system to increase
the drainage of fluid from the eye. Common miotics include Pilocarpine
(Pilocar, Isoptocarpine), Carcholin (Carbachol), Echothiophate (Phospholine
Iodide), and Demacarium Bromide (Humorsol). When medications alone are not
enough, an ophthalmologist will recommend surgery. There are several treatments
available to those who require surgery. For laser trabeculoplasty, a
high-energy light beam is applied to the eye to improve fluid drainage from the
eye and lower pressure. For trabeculectomies, a new opening is made for the
fluid to exit the eye. A small piece of tissue is removed to create a new
channel for fluid drainage and lower pressure. Iridotomies are used to treat
angle-closure glaucoma. The procedure involves using a laser to create a hole
in the iris to improve the flow of fluid to the drainage system. These
procedures are usually successful in maintaining eye pressure and protecting
the eye from further vision loss.
Is there a way to restore my vision loss from glaucoma?
Unfortunately, there is no way to restore vision lost from glaucoma. It is
therefore very important for individuals to be regularly checked by an eye care
professional if already diagnosed with glaucoma or at risk for developing it.
Is there anything I can do to prevent the disease from occurring?
The causes of the disease have not yet been elucidated, therefore it is not
clear as to how individuals can prevent the disease from occurring. However,
early detection and adequate treatment can prevent the disease from causing
major vision loss when it does occur.
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