So just what is this health concern that’s affecting so many?
Welcome to the world of glaucoma -- the second most common cause of blindness in the world.
This serious condition isn’t one to take lightly. That’s why it's important to know the ins and outs of glaucoma as well as the telltale signs (or lack thereof).
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and have the ability to cause vision loss and blindness in some cases.
The consequences can be downright scary.
In fact, 10 percent of people affected by glaucoma still lose vision despite treatment efforts. And 120,000 people have gone blind from glaucoma. This accounts for nine to 12 percent of all cases of blindness.
Ground Zero in this disease is the optic nerve. That’s because the disease damages the optic nerve itself.
The optic nerve consists of more than 1 million nerve fibers that connect the retina to the brain. The retina is located inside of the eye, close to the optic nerve. It is a light-sensitive tissue necessary for good vision.
Glaucoma occurs when the pressure in the eye is too high, which ultimately causes damage to the optic nerve. As a result, blind spots develop. And when the nerve is completely damaged, blindness takes over.
Though there are several types of glaucoma; two are most predominant. Those are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma, making up 90 percent of all diagnoses. This is commonly referred to as primary or chronic glaucoma.
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), “’open-angle’ means that the angle where the iris meets the cornea is as wide and open as it should be.” This type of glaucoma affects nearly 3 million Americans.
So what causes this type of glaucoma to occur?
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), “in the front of the eye is a space called the anterior chamber. A clear fluid flows continuously in and out of the chamber and nourishes nearby tissues. The fluid leaves the chamber at the open angle where the cornea and iris meet. When the fluid reaches the angle, it flows through a spongy meshwork, like a drain, and leaves the eye.”
Open-angle glaucoma, even though the drainage angle is ‘open,’ causes the fluid to pass too slowly through the meshwork drain. As fluid increases, so does pressure, which may damage the optic nerve, and vision loss may result. That’s why controlling internal eye pressure is important.
Open-angle glaucoma is a slowly developing, lifelong condition. The scary thing is that symptoms and damage associated with open-angle glaucoma are often unnoticed. Consequently, the disease has usually progressed by the time those affected realize it. And unfortunately, loss of vision is not correctable, even with surgery.
This brings us to the question of the hour: If you’re lucky enough to have symptoms, just what would they be?
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms can come in the form of patchy blind spots in the peripheral or front vision and most likely will affect both eyes. In addition, tunnel vision may be present as the disease advances. But remember that this form of glaucoma often presents with no symptoms, so symptoms may not be noticeable early in the game.
The next question is: How does a doctor detect this condition?
Glaucoma is detected in several ways. The first is a visual acuity test in which a doctor will use an eye chart to check vision at different distances. He or she will also conduct a visual field test, which looks at peripheral, or side vision. This is important because impaired peripheral vision is a sign of glaucoma. A doctor may dilate eyes to look for damage in the retina and optic nerve. And finally, he or she will measure the thickness of the cornea and eye pressure.
To combat this terrifying reality, know the risk factors. The first to take into account is a family history of open-angle glaucoma. It’s hereditary, so if it's present in family members, you just might develop, it too.
African-Americans have a higher risk of developing this condition than other populations. In fact, African Americans are 15 times more likely to experience visual impairment from glaucoma than Caucasians, according to the GRF. Add that to the fact that it is second only to cataracts in terms of the leading cause of blindness among African Americans.
Further, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and age increase risk. And those who are extremely near-sighted or older than 60 have an elevated chance of developing the disease.
That said, there’s something else you need to know. Everyone is at risk, and this risk starts at birth. In fact, about 1 out of every 10,000 babies in the United States are born with glaucoma. And young adults can get it, too.
This brings us to another question: What’s the other common type of glaucoma?
Angle-closure is the second most commonly diagnosed type of glaucoma. This condition is also referred to as acute, or narrow-angle, glaucoma. According to the GRF, angle-closure glaucoma is a result of the angle between the iris and cornea closing.
This type of glaucoma occurs as a result of blocked drainage canals, which cause a sudden rise in intraocular pressure. Unlike open-angle glaucoma, this condition develops rapidly. It is different in that symptoms are easy to see.
So just what are the symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma?
According to the GRF, symptoms are clear. They include hazy or blurred vision, the appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights, severe eye and head pain, nausea or vomiting that accompanies this pain, and quick loss of sight.
According to the GRF, “treatment of angle-closure glaucoma usually involves either laser or conventional surgery to remove a small portion of the bunched-up outer edge of the iris. Surgery helps unblock the drainage canals so that the extra fluid can drain.”
The good news is that this surgery is often successful. However, even after surgery, it’s still important to make regular visits to your doctor a part of your routine.