 Glaucoma is a disease which primarily affects the optic nerve, which
functions like a cable
as it connects the eye to the
brain. As glaucoma progresses, the optic nerve starts to die.
Glaucoma rarely causes pain or discomfort. People who have glaucoma
generally do not feel pain or that they are going blind until the
late stages when the visual fields are constricted
and they are left with
tunnel vision.
Glaucoma patients are generally
characterized as having high pressure inside the eye; however, in
our Valley population normal intra-ocular pressure glaucoma is much
more common than the high tension variety. Glaucoma cannot be
cured; however, glaucoma can be treated by lowering the pressure
inside the eye with eye drops. Whether a patient has high
intra-ocular pressure glaucoma or normal intra-ocular pressure
glaucoma, the treatment is the same. Lowering the pressure inside
the eye helps to
preserve the
health of the
optic nerve
and maintain
a life with sight.
Glaucoma is a disease that ultimately
leads to blindness and is present in up to 2% of the US population.
African Americans are three times more likely to develop glaucoma
than whites.
After the age of 60, Latinos
develop glaucoma at the same rate as African Americans.
It is widely recognized that glaucoma
is hereditary. If one or both of your parents have glaucoma or if
one of your siblings has glaucoma, then you are likely to be a
glaucoma suspect.
Diabetes can also
increase your risk of developing glaucoma.
To find out if you have glaucoma or if
you feel that you are it risk of developing glaucoma,
schedule
an appointment with one of our doctors.
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