Dubbed “The Silent Thief of Sight”, Glaucoma lurks in the depths of your eyes, silently progressing over time, until there is irreversible vision loss and damage. Seems scary, right? Well, glaucoma is an incredibly serious disease that, if left untreated, can cause permanent vision loss, and even blindness.
But here’s the good news: Early detection can make all the difference. With regular comprehensive eye exams, an Ophthalmologist can spot the early signs of glaucoma and help curb its progression, protecting your vision from further damage and optimizing eye health.
Visit Howerton Eye Center in Austin to speak with expert physicians; knowledgeable in all aspects of glaucoma. So, while glaucoma may be a silent thief, it doesn’t have to rob you of everything.
Let’s take a closer look at what exactly glaucoma is, and how it can threaten your vision.
Understanding Glaucoma
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which plays a crucial role in transmitting visual information from your eyes to your brain. Because the optic nerve is essential for vision, any damage to it can severely impact your ability to see.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, often without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
Types of Glaucoma
There are several types of glaucoma, but they fall under two main categories: open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.
- Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. Your vision worsens over time and is usually unnoticeable until it has advanced considerably. It can eventually cause blindness if left untreated.
- Angle-closure glaucoma is less common, but damage can be more severe and faster.
- Other variations, such as pigmentary glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma, will also be discussed later in this blog.
Causes of Glaucoma
The most common cause of glaucoma is increased pressure within the eye, also known as intraocular pressure. This pressure is usually due to problems with the drainage of a clear fluid in the eye, called aqueous humor. When this fluid doesn’t drain properly or flows unsteadily, pressure can build up, leading to optic nerve damage.
However, it’s important to note that glaucoma can occur even when eye pressure is normal. This means that the disease doesn’t always follow the typical pattern of increased eye pressure.
As the optic nerve continues to deteriorate, blind spots begin to develop in your field of vision. These spots typically start in your peripheral vision and can expand over time, leading to more significant vision loss if left untreated.
Common Risk Factors of Glaucoma
You are more likely to get glaucoma if you:
- Are above the age of 40
- Have a family history of glaucoma
- Are of African-American, Irish, Russian, Japanese, Hispanic, Inuit, or Scandinavian descent
- Are nearsighted or farsighted
- Have poor vision
- Have diabetes
- Have suffered injury to your eye or eyes
- Have high blood pressure, heart disease, or sickle cell anemia
- Take certain medications
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Most of the time, there are no symptoms with glaucoma, so people are unaware they have the disease. They will not notice the vision loss until the disease has advanced, which is why it is crucial to have yearly comprehensive eye exams.
However, there are still symptoms of this disease, and the severity and times of onset vary depending on the type of glaucoma someone has.
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
As the most common type, uncomfortable symptoms are rare. This type of glaucoma causes loss of vision in side or peripheral vision, and therefore, most people do not notice this vision loss is occurring until the disease is late stage.
Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma
In rare cases, the eye pressure will increase very rapidly, known as an acute attack of angle-closure. In these instances, damage to the optic nerve can occur, and is considered a medical emergency. Symptoms of an attack can include:
- Severe eye and head pain
- Hazy or blurred vision
- Sudden sight loss
- Vomiting or Nausea that accompanies the severe eye pain
- Rainbow-colored halos around bright lights
Pigmentary Glaucoma
Again, early stages of this type of glaucoma typically do not have any symptoms. The progressions of this disease over time will allow these symptoms to arise:
- Changes to central vision and distance vision
- Blind spots in peripheral vision
- Halos around lights
- Eye Redness
- Light Sensitivity
Normal Tension Glaucoma
Again, early stages of this type of Glaucoma typically do not have any symptoms. The progressions of this disease will allow these symptoms to arise:
- Gradual Blurred vision
- Loss of peripheral vision in late stages
The progression of Glaucoma greatly depends on the type and on individual factors. Some people may have more severe and rapid vision loss or severity of symptoms than others.
When Should I Get a Glaucoma Screening?
The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests anyone who is at risk for glaucoma to have comprehensive eye exams in accordance with this schedule:
- Ages 40 to 54- every 1 to 3 years
- Ages 55 to 64- every 1 to 2 years
- Ages 65 + – every 6 to 12 months.
Diagnosing Glaucoma
Just because someone has high pressure in the eye does not mean they have glaucoma! Vice-versa, someone with completely normal pressure in the eye can be diagnosed with glaucoma.
Someone with high pressure in the eye that does not damage the optic nerve can be diagnosed with ocular hypertension.
If a physician suspects you might have glaucoma, they will conduct certain tests to confirm. They will check the drainage angle of your eye, evaluate any nerve damage, measure your intraocular pressure, and test your vision. The tests for glaucoma are painless and not time consuming. Some include:
- Ocular pressure test (tonometry)- measures eye pressure
- Visual Acuity test – checks for vision loss
- Vision field test- checks for changes in peripheral vision
- Dilate eye exam- widens your pupils and allows the physician to look at your optic nerve
- Gonioscopy- checks angles where your cornea and iris meet
- Slit-lamp exam- checks the inside of your eye
- Optical coherence tomography- looks at changes in your optic nerve
Treatment Options for Glaucoma
There is no cure for glaucoma, and vision cannot be restored once it has been lost. However, it can be treated to slow the progression and reduce the risk of further damage.
Glaucoma will normally be treated with a combination of eye drops, laser procedures, and microsurgery. These methods aim to lower the intraocular pressure in your eye.
Eye Drops
Glaucoma eye drops work to either decrease eye pressure by improving the way the eye drains fluid or decreases the amount of fluid the eye actually makes. A patient may be prescribed more than one type of eye drop.
Laser Procedures
A doctor will perform laser surgery to increase the drainage from the eye of someone with open-angle glaucoma. A small but powerful beam of light opens the fluid channels of the eye. There are three main laser procedures:
- Trabeculoplasty: This will open the drainage area
- Iridotomy: This will make a tiny hole in your iris which will allow fluid to flow better
- Cyclophotocoagulation: This will treat the middle layer of your eye and decrease the production of fluid.
Microsurgery
In Microsurgery, a tiny hole is made in the sclera (the white part of the eye) that acts as a drain. This creates a drainage canal which allows fluid to be released from the eye, lowering eye pressure.
Your doctor will know the best course of action. Early detection is key in fighting against the progression of glaucoma, so make sure to schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Howerton Eye Center in Austin, Texas.
Preventing Glaucoma and Protecting Your Vision
It is extremely important to take active measures to promote eye health. The Mayo Clinic recommends eating a healthy diet, wearing protective eye gear, avoiding smoking, exercising safely, and limiting caffeine.
Understanding and managing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension is also crucial, as they can increase your risk of developing glaucoma. By effectively managing these conditions, you can help reduce the likelihood of glaucoma and other related health issues.
You doctor will guide you on the best course of action to take.
Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining overall eye health, particularly for the early detection of diseases like glaucoma.
Your Ophthalmologist will know exactly what to look for, and can identify early signs of diseases you may not be aware of. Since glaucoma often presents with no symptoms in its early stages, the only way to detect it is through a professional eye exam.
Your Ophthalmologist can spot early sign of glaucoma long before you experience any noticeable symptoms.
Living with Glaucoma
Once you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, understand it is a lifelong condition. You will need to continually follow up with your Ophthalmologist and adhere to any instructions they give you through the years regarding medications and surgeries.
While glaucoma is a very serious condition, it doesn’t have to fully hinder your way of life. There are lifestyle choices you can make to keep your eyes healthy and give them a better chance staying healthy longer.
Doctors recommend exercising regularly, eating healthy, and taking your medicine as directed.
After being diagnosed, you might be scared about the potential of progressive vision loss.
There are many support groups that exist, and it can be extremely helpful to speak with other people with glaucoma.
Check online resources and hospitals in your area to find local support groups.
Remember, early detection is key!
Glaucoma may be a silent to your vision, but with early detection, proper treatments, and ongoing care, it is possible to manage the disease and protect your sight.
The Ophthalmologists at Howerton Eye Center are experts in glaucoma management and care, so schedule an appointment today to speak with any of our wonderful physicians.
Regular comprehensive eye exams are essential to catching glaucoma in its earliest stages, and working closely with an ophthalmologist at Howerton Eye Center in Austin, Texas to devise a plan catered to you can slow its progression and preserve your quality of life.
While living with glaucoma may feel overwhelming at times, remember that with the right support, lifestyle changes, and medical care, many people with glaucoma can lead fulfilling lives.
If you live in Austin, Texas or any surrounding cities, take steps to protect your vision for the future, and schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Howerton Eye Center today.
