Important Information About Glaucoma You Should Know

 Glaucoma, also called the “sneak thief of sight,” is a serious eye disease that can cause permanent blindness if not diagnosed and treated in time. In honor of National Glaucoma Awareness Month every January, we would like to share some very important information about glaucoma that you will benefit from knowing. 

Approximately three million people in the United States have some type of glaucoma eye disease. Based on available data, the National Eye Institute projects this number to climb to approximately 4.2 million people by the year 2030.

This important information about glaucoma is for informational purposes. If you suspect you have any of the symptoms of eye glaucoma, we recommend immediately scheduling an appointment with your trusted eye care provider. Let’s start with some basic facts about glaucoma.

Important Facts About Glaucoma

Some basic facts about glaucoma:

• Only about 50% of the 3 million Americans with glaucoma get diagnosed
• Higher rates among people of African-American, Asian or Latino/Hispanic heritage
• African-Americans are 5x more likely to get glaucoma and 6x more likely to go blind
• Up to 40% of sight can be lost before glaucoma is diagnosed
• If undiagnosed and treated, glaucoma can cause permanent blindness

What are the Causes of Glaucoma?

At the present time, the causes of glaucoma are still a mystery. Although pressure on the optic nerve (also called “ocular hypertension”) is considered to be a significant risk factor, even people whose eye pressure is well within the “normal” range get glaucoma too. 

Genetic disposition might explain the disproportionately high rate of glaucoma in people with East Asian, Central/South American and African-American heritage. However, at this time researchers still cannot say with any certainty.

Glaucoma Risk Factors

Although the exact cause of glaucoma remains a mystery, we have identified several glaucoma risk factors. Glaucoma risk factors include:

• Age (40+)
• Family history
• Previous eye injury
• Far or near-oriented eyesight
• Use of steroid-based medication
• Diabetes, high blood pressure/hypertension, poor circulation

The Symptoms of Eye Glaucoma

There are two primary types of age-related Macular Degeneration: Wet Form and Dry Form. By performing a retinal eye scan, your optometrist can detect both forms.

The symptoms of Glaucoma range significantly depending on the type of glaucoma someone suffers from. Some people do not experience any of the symptoms of eye glaucoma until significant vision loss occurs. For other people, the symptoms of eye glaucoma are very hard to ignore. These symptoms can include:

• Vision becomes blurry
• The eyes redden permanently 
• Sensitivity to light and/or soreness of the eyes
• Lights appear to have “halos” around them
• Sudden onset of visual disturbance, especially in low light
• Severe eye pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting
• Tunnel vision (toward the later stages of the disease)

It is very important to understand that the symptoms of eye glaucoma can also be caused by other types of diseases and illnesses too. If you have ANY of these symptoms, regardless of severity, we urge you to immediately contact and schedule an appointment with your trusted eye care professional

The Different Types of Glaucoma Eye Disease

There are several differing types of glaucoma eye disease:

 

• Low or Normal Tension Glaucoma is still a mystery
• Open-Angle Glaucoma (most common) occurs when fluid from the eye passes too slowly for too long through the open drainage “channel” where the iris and cornea meet
• Angle-Closure Glaucoma (less common) occurs when the drainage angle closes because part of the iris is blocking it
• Congenital Glaucoma occurs at birth, is generally easily diagnosable, and with surgery children can have a good prognosis for vision health in life
• Pigmentary Glaucoma (rare) is a complication of pigment dispersion syndrome, which occurs when pigment granules from the iris flake off into eye fluid
• Traumatic Glaucoma is the result of injury to the eye by blunt trauma, flying debris and/or bleeding

Additionally, two different types of glaucoma eye disease can occur as the byproduct of associated medical conditions:

 

• IridoCorneal Endothelial Syndrome (ICE) occurs when cells on the back of the cornea cover drainage tissue in the eye, which blocks canals and causes pressure buildup
• Uveitic Glaucoma is inflammation caused by an obstruction in the uvea, which is located underneath the “white.” Approximately 20% of people suffering from this inflammation develop glaucoma.

The Best Treatment for Glaucoma

Unfortunately, nerve and vision damage caused by glaucoma are irreversible. But hope does exist to treat this very serious eye disease. The best treatment for glaucoma eye disease depends on the severity of the condition when it is diagnosed. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for glaucoma based on your symptoms, and the disease’s progression. Treatments for glaucoma can include:

• Eye drops to help lower pressure by helping drain fluid buildup or reduce amount
• Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a surgical procedure that can temporarily treat open angle glaucoma 
• A Canaloplasty uses a microcatheter to open the eye canal to allow for temporary drainage and pressure relief
• Trabeculectomy is conventional surgery that makes a partial flap in the scleral wall of the eye for temporary drainage and pressure relief
• Glaucoma drainage implants use flow tubes and plates inserted in the eye’s anterior chamber for drainage and pressure relief
• Non-Penetrating Deep Sclerectomy (NPDS), which is similar to a trabeculectomy but has fewer side effects

If you are diagnosed, your doctor will discuss the best treatment option for glaucoma eye disease with you. We strongly recommend asking questions and taking notes during the consultation so that you are fully aware of your diagnosis and treatment options.

The Best Natural Treatment for Glaucoma

Many of our patients are just as health conscious about their eyes as they are about the rest of their bodies. We love that! As a result, we often field questions about the best natural treatment for glaucoma. According to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, there are several ways you can help control high eye pressure and promote overall vision health everyday:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet, including the intake of vitamins and minerals associated with eye health: Zinc, copper, selenium and vitamins A, E and C
• Regular exercise may reduce the eye pressure associated with open-angle glaucoma
• Refraining from caffeine and other stimulants that may increase eye pressure
• Drinking moderate amounts of fluid (versus large amounts) to keep eye pressure lower
• Using a wedge pillow to sleep with an elevated head to reduce intraocular pressure

Although the internet is full of herbal remedies and other forms of alternative medical advice, we strongly recommend consulting your trusted eye care professional before adding any type of alternative protocol to your treatment plan.

Tatum family Eyecare wants your family to enjoy the personalized care only a private optometrist can provide, at costs competitive with corporate chains. Services like eye exams, and products like high quality prescription frames or lenses, can be very expensive without vision care insurance. We are here to help ensure you don’t have to sacrifice quality of care just because you are uninsured