What causes it?
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, 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 resulting in loss of vision.

Facts you should know:
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States affecting an estimated three million Americans - half of whom do not know they have the disease.

Glaucoma offers very few symptoms in the early stages. By the time individuals experience noticeable symptoms, a significant portion of vision may already have been lost.

As glaucoma develops, a person's peripheral (side) vision gradually fails. As the disease worsens, the field of vision narrows and blindness results.

Risk factors for glaucoma:
- Race - African-Americans over the age of 40
- Age - anyone over the age of 60
- Family history
- Diabetes
- Eye injury or eye surgery
- Extreme nearsightedness

Glaucoma discriminates:
For reasons yet unknown, African-Americans are five times more likely to develop glaucoma than Caucasians and four times more likely to become blind from it.

Optic nerve damage from glaucoma usually occurs 10 years earlier in African-Americans than in Caucasians (in an individual's 20s and 30s rather than 50s and 60s).

At present, there is no cure for glaucoma
However, eye drops, pills or surgery can help control the disease.

The key to preventing blindness from glaucoma is in early detection and treatment. You should have an eye examination:
- Every three to five years
- if you're age 39 and over
- As often as your doctor recommends if you are in a high-risk group.

During an eye examination, drops are put into the eyes to enlarge the pupils. This allows the eye care professional to observe the inside of the eye to check for signs of glaucoma.

Vision Topics
Glaucoma	Cataracts
Macular Degeneration	Sports
Sunglasses	Vision Test
Car Battery	Amblyopia and Strabismus
Women's Eye Health	Diabetic Retinopathy

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