Issue 6.10
Images seen by the eye are transmitted to the brain for interpretation via a nerve called the optic nerve. This process is called ‘vision’. Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve resulting in vision loss. In fact, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. The good news is that with regular eye exams, early detection and appropriate treatment, you can preserve your vision.
The eye is filled with a clear fluid called the aqueous humor. This fluid is constantly being produced by the eye and drained at an equal rate. The pressure inside the eye depends on the amount of fluid in the eye. In most types of glaucoma, the eye’s drainage system becomes clogged so the fluid cannot drain properly. As the fluid builds up, it causes pressure to build inside the eye. This high pressure damages the sensitive optic nerve causing vision loss. This process is called glaucoma.
There are several different types of glaucoma but the process is very similar in all of them: something inside the eye causes pressure to increase resulting in vision loss. Interestingly, recent research has changed our understanding of the mechanism behind glaucoma. It was traditionally thought that high pressure inside the eye was the only cause of optic nerve damage. However, we now know that other factors are also involved because people with “normal” eye pressure can also experience vision loss from glaucoma.
In the most common form of glaucoma there are no painful symptoms and vision loss occurs so gradually that affected individuals often do not notice vision loss until it is too late. Because of the lack of symptoms, a comprehensive eye exam is necessary to diagnosis glaucoma. If evidence of glaucoma is found, proper treatment will be started.
Unfortunately, at the present time, there is no cure for glaucoma. However, with early diagnosis and initiation of treatment glaucoma can often be controlled and vision loss prevented. Anyone can develop glaucoma but certain individuals are at a higher risk. These risks factors include:
Over age 60
People of African descent
Relatives of people with glaucoma
People with diabetes
Very nearsighted
People with extensive steroid use
Vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented, so see your eye doctor to make sure you are not at risk.
Jason W. Hendrix, M.D. is a local Eye Physician and Surgeon who specializes in cataract surgery and diseases of the eye including the treatment of glaucoma. He is located at the St. George Eye Center, 676 South Bluff Street, Suite 208, Saint George, Utah. Contact him at 435-628-4507 or visit www.stgec.com.