Glaucoma
What is Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which the pressure inside the eye may or may not be elevated. If untreated, vision loss or blindness may occur. The information listed below is about open-angled glaucoma, the most common form of the disease.
What causes Glaucoma?
At the front of the eye, there is a small space called the anterior chamber. Clear fluid flows in and out of the chamber to bathe and nourish nearby tissues. In glaucoma, for still unknown reasons, the fluid drains too slowly out of the eye. As the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye rises. Unless this pressure is controlled, it may cause damage to the optic nerve and other parts of the eye and loss of vision.
Who is at risk?
Nearly 3 million people have glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Although anyone can get glaucoma, some people are at higher risk. They include:
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African Americans over that age of 40
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Anyone over the age of 60
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People with a family history of glaucoma
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People with diabetes.
What are the symptoms?
At first there are no symptoms. Vision stays normal, and there is no pain. However, as the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice his or her side vision gradually failing. That is, object in front may still be seen clearly, but objects to the side may be missed. As the disease worsens, the field of vision narrows and blindness results.
How is glaucoma detected?
Many people may know of the "air puff" test or other tests used to measure eye pressure in an eye examination. But, this test alone cannot detect glaucoma. Glaucoma is found most often during an eye examination through dilated pupils. This means drops are put into the eyes during the exam to enlarge the pupils. This allows the eye care professionals to see more of the inside of the eye to check for signs of glaucoma.
How can glaucoma be treated?
Although open-angle glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled. The most common treatments are eye drops, pills, laser surgery or surgery to help fluid escape from the eye and thereby reduce the pressure.
What is Medicare doing to help?
Effective January 2002, Medicare helps pay for a dilated eye exam every year for persons who:
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Are African American age 50 and older
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Have a family history of glaucoma, and
- Are people with diabetes.
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