Glaucoma is a disease process of the optic nerve.  It is often, but not always, associated with high eye pressure.  An estimated 90 million people worldwide have glaucoma, with 3 million in the United States. 

Glaucoma is the #1 cause of permanent blindness in the world. However, because modern treatments for glaucoma are very successful, most cases of blindness could have been prevented.  Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent blindness.

Everyone is at some risk of developing glaucoma, which is why it is so common. Risk increases with age, especially after age 60.  Other risk factors include: family history of glaucoma; previous eye injury; steroid use; high eye pressure; certain ethnic backgrounds; and/or thin cornea.

Many people notice no symptoms at all, despite losing vision from glaucoma.  As vision loss is often gradual, it can be difficult to notice day-to-day.  In addition, blind spots caused by glaucoma can be hard to percieve, and the central vision required to see distant objects may be unaffected until over 90% of vision has been lost.  This explains why so many people with glaucoma are undiagnosed and why the majority of vision loss from glaucoma occurs before diagnosis. 

But glaucoma can be treated.  In fact, glaucoma treatment has advanced tremendously in the past 20 years and is often very successful.  Treatment can include eye drops, a variety of laser tratments, and eye surgery.  Treatment is meant to slow or prevent further vision loss, however, damage that occurred prior to treatment is irreversible.  Without treatment, permanent vision loss due to glaucoma will progress over time and eventually lead to total blindness, although this many take many years.

Remember that regular medical eye exams may help prevent unnecessary vision loss.  Early detection and treatment by your eye doctor are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and blindness from glaucoma.