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Glaucoma
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What is Glaucoma?
Known as the "sneak thief of sight," glaucoma is a specific pattern of optic
nerve (the nerve that sends visual messages from the eye to the brain) damage
and visual field loss caused by a number of different eye diseases. Most of
these diseases are characterized by increased pressure within the eye. This
pressure destroys the optic nerve. Without the optic nerve, tunnel vision and
then blindness occur. Glaucoma is one of the most common and preventable
causes of blindness.
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What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
In most cases, there are no symptoms during the early stages of the disease.
As glaucoma progresses, it slowly damages the optic nerve fibers of the eye
and the field of vision narrows. Often, "blind spots" within the field of
vision aren't realized until optic nerve damage has occurred.
Who is Most Likely to Develop Glaucoma?
People who:
- are more than 45 years of age
- have a family history of glaucoma
- have abnormally high pressure in the eyes
- are of African descent
- have diabetes
- are nearsighted (have myopia)
- have a history of regular, long-term steroid or cortisone use
- have had a previous eye injury.
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Copyright 2002 Lafayette Lions Club
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