Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, and the single most common cause of blindness among African-Americans. Every year, almost 80,000 Americans go blind from glaucoma, and another million are at risk of losing their vision because they do not know they have glaucoma.
It does not have to be that way. If it is caught and treated in time, vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented. The ophthalmologists at Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology can help to diagnose and treat glaucoma.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure of the eye rises to a point that it damages the optic nerve and impairs vision. The pressure that builds in the eye is caused by a problem in the flow or drainage of fluid produced in the eye.
What causes glaucoma? For unknown reasons, the passages that
normally allow fluid within the eye to drain out become blocked. This results
in fluid collecting in the eye and causes increased pressure on the optic
nerve. An injury, infection, or tumor in or around the eye can also cause the
pressure to rise. The nerve fibers and blood vessels in the optic nerve
can easily be damaged by this pressure. The optic nerve at the back of the
eye carries visual information to the brain. As the fibers that make up the
optic nerve are damaged, the amount and quality of information sent to the brain
decreases and a loss of vision occurs.
Who is at risk for glaucoma? It is estimated
that over two million Americans have glaucoma. This number is expected to rise
as the population ages because glaucoma occurs more frequently in people
over the age of 40. There also is a hereditary tendency for the development
of the disease in some families. Open-angle glaucoma is much
more common among African-Americans and can cause damage at a greater rate.
Individuals who are nearsighted or who have diabetes may be at greater risk of developing
glaucoma.
You may be at risk of getting glaucoma if you have one or more of these risk
factors:
Elevated intraocular pressure
Family history of glaucoma
Ethnic background
Older age
Optic nerve appearance
Diabetes
Unfortunately, glaucoma cannot be prevented, but early
detection and treatment can control it and reduce the chances of damage to the
eye and loss of sight. A regular eye examination, including testing for
glaucoma, is an important preventive eye care practice for people over the
age of 35. If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma can usually be controlled.
If left untreated, side vision (peripheral vision) and central vision will be
destroyed and blindness may occur.
