I have glaucoma and am worried about losing my sight.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people over 40 years of age and affects at least one out of every 35 Americans. However, almost all blindness due to glaucoma can be prevented. Glaucoma is not an infection, and it is not contagious. It is a condition in which pressure created by the fluid in one or both eyes builds up to an abnormally high level. When this pressure remains elevated over a period of time, nerve fibers and blood vessels in the optic nerve become compressed and can be damaged or destroyed. Left untreated, vision is impaired and ultimately, blindness can result. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes.

Because chronic glaucoma seldom causes symptoms, it is extremely important for you to have regular eye exams after the age of 40, even if you have no complaints about your vision. Many people are unaware of the disease during its early, treatable stages since there is usually no pain and central vision remains good for a long time.

Glaucoma, more than any other eye condition, needs to be detected early if treatment is to be successful. The best way to prevent loss of sight from glaucoma is to have a complete eye examination every two years if you are over the age of 35, and more frequently if you are black, have diabetes, have a high level of myopia, or have a family history of glaucoma. Glaucoma tends to run in families, and if either of your parents or any of your grandparents are affected, you have a higher than average chance of developing the disease.

Once glaucoma is diagnosed, loss of sight can be slowed or prevented with medicine or laser surgery. Rarely, incision surgery is needed. Any or all of these methods may be recommended to lower the pressure to a safe level.

Although successful treatment usually helps lessen further vision loss, sight already lost cannot be restored. Early diagnosis during a periodic medical eye examination is the key to preventing vision impairment from glaucoma.

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