2 minute read
Glaucoma: The "Sneak Theif of Sight"
THE “SNEAKY THIEF OF SIGHT”
By Jane Therrien OD, FIAOMC, Optometric Physician
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What is Glaucoma?
▸Group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve ▸ Primary open-angle – most common, develops slowly and painlessly ▸ Acute angle-closure – sudden blockage of drainage channels, is an emergency
Why should I know about Glaucoma?
▸More than 3 million Americans have glaucoma ▸ Nearly half don’t know they have it ▸ Vision loss often occurs before individuals are even diagnosed ▸ Loss of vision is permanent -- it cannot be reversed
How does Glaucoma damage my eyes? In a healthy eye/optic nerve…
▸Aqueous Humor ▸ Clear fluid inside of the eye ▸ Continuously produced and drained out of the eye ▸ If production increases, or draining decreases, glaucoma develops due to increased pressure
In an eye with glaucoma…
▸Fluid drains too slowly as it exits eye ▸ This causes pressure inside the eye to rise ▸ Higher pressure leads to deterioration of optic nerve fibers ▸ Result is loss of vision
▸Optic nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain ▸ Optic nerve cells degenerate and die slowly ▸ As nerve cells die, vision is slowly lost ▸ Vision loss begins in the peripheral, or side vision
Vision loss is not recognized until a significant amount of nerve damage occurs!
That’s why glaucoma is known as the “sneak thief of sight.”
What are the symptoms?
▸No pain or symptoms are present in early stages ▸ Loss of peripheral vision typically is the first indication You are at HIGH RISK for glaucoma if you are: ▸ African American over age 40 ▸ Over age 60 ▸ Have a family history of glaucoma
How is it detected?
▸Tonometry – measurement of pressure in the eye ▸ Ophthalmoscopy – examination of back of the eye to look at health and appearance of optic nerve ▸ Pachymetry – measurement of thickness of cornea ▸ Visual field test – measurement of peripheral vision ▸ Laser imaging – OCT or GDX
What precautions can I take?
▸Yearly (or more frequently if you’re at high risk) comprehensive eye exams are your best defense against eye disease ▸ Though not a cure, early detection and treatment of glaucoma can slow its progression
Does insurance cover examinations?
▸Most major medical insurance policies, including Medicare, cover annual dilated eye exams for patients at-risk for glaucoma ▸ Yearly exams assist in early detection and treatment of glaucoma
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