Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a complicated disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss. It is the second leading cause of blindness. 

Mechanism (How it works):  

This disease occurs when the ocular drainage canals become clogged over time or when the body produces too much fluid inside of the eye. This causes the inner eye pressure (also called intraocular pressure, or IOP) to rise higher than the eye can handle.  This causes decreased blood flow to the optic nerve, which results in gradual loss of the peripheral vision.  

Symptoms: 

Glaucoma develops slowly and often without noticeable symptoms or early warning signs. Open-angle glaucoma can lead to gradual vision loss if not diagnosed and treated. However, the condition usually responds well to medication or light therapy, especially if caught early. 

Risks: 

While anyone at any age can develop glaucoma, these conditions pose a higher risk: 

• A family history of glaucoma 

• Individuals over 40 years of age 

• Diabetics 

• Individuals diagnosed with Sleep Apnea 

• Individuals of African or Mediterranean descent 

• People who’ve experienced an eye injury or trauma 

• People who are moderately or highly nearsighted

People of all ages are at risk for developing glaucoma, and only an eye doctor can make a diagnosis. Routine eye examinations are important to detect and identify symptoms.