The Sneak Thief of Sight

J.Adderton, BSN, MSN

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month and a great time to learn more about the leading cause of vision loss and permanent blindness in the U.S. Let's look at a few eye-opening statistics around the condition.

More than 3 million people in the U.S. have Glaucoma
120,000 people are blind from glaucoma (accounts for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness)
Over 60 million people worldwide have glaucoma
WHO estimates 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma

You can do your part to raise awareness by simply learning more about this sight-stealing condition.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause damage to your optic nerve. The optic nerve is made up of millions of nerve fibers that run from your retina and meet at the optic disc. In most types of glaucoma pressure abnormally builds up in the eye; causing damage to the optic nerve leading to vision loss.

What causes pressure buildup?

Aqueous humor is the clear fluid that carries nutrients to the eye's lens and cornea. It also plays an important role in maintaining normal pressures within the eye. This fluid usually drains out of the eye at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. If the drainage system isn't working or there is too much aqueous humor being produced, then fluid can't flow out properly and internal eye pressure increases.

Who is at Risk?

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, regardless of age. However, there are people who carry a higher risk, including individuals who:

Are over age 60
Are of African, Asian or Hispanic descent
Have a family history of glaucoma
Are very nearsighted, or
Are very farsighted
Take steroid medication
Have high pressure
Have had an eye injury

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG)

The most common form of glaucoma is Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and occurs when pressure builds up in the eye slowly over time. Unfortunately, you typically don't notice any symptoms until a significant amount of vision has been permanently lost. This is why the disease is sometimes referred to as the "sneak thief of sight". When symptoms do appear, they may include:

Blurred vision
Eye and head pain
Nausea and/or vomiting
Advanced symptoms
Patchy blind spots
Tunnel vision

Health Conditions that Increase Risk of POAG

Certain health conditions can increase your risk of developing POAG. These include:

Too high or too low blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Atherosclerosis
Obesity
Sleep apnea
Migraine
Stress and anxiety
Optic disc hemorrhage
Thinned cornea
Raynaud syndrome

Other risk factors for POAG:

Using birth control pills
Alcohol use
Smoking/Tobacco products

Treatment

If caught in the early stages, treatments and regular check-ups can slow or prevent vision loss. Treatment is aimed at lowering the pressure within your eye and may include prescription eye drops, oral medications, laser treatment, surgery, or any combination of these options. You can learn more about each specific treatment here.

Glaucoma Prevention

There are things you can do to reduce your risk of vision loss from glaucoma.

Be sure to have an annual eye exam. If you are at high risk, you will need a comprehensive dilated eye exam in order to diagnose and treat glaucoma early. Medicare covers a glaucoma test yearly for people in high-risk groups.

Talk to your family members about their own vision help, especially since glaucoma runs in families.
Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active will help to control your blood pressure.

Avoid smoking or using other tobacco products

Take eye drops and/or oral medications prescribed for your glaucoma as directed by your doctor.

Four Key Take-Aways

Glaucoma Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to help clear any misconceptions about glaucoma. Here are 4 key facts to help you remember why it goes undetected and who is at greatest risk.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness.
- Even when properly treated, approximately 10% of people with glaucoma experience loss of vision
- Glaucoma is not curable and vision loss is irreversible.
Early diagnosis and treatment is the first step in safeguarding vision.
Everyone is at risk for glaucoma
- Senior citizens are at a higher risk.
There may be no symptoms to warn you.
- In POAG, vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision.