Glaucoma Awareness

Contributed by: Angela Jones, Pharm.D. Candidate

UMKC School of Pharmacy

Text Box: Can you remember the last time you visited your eye doctor? For most adults, visits to the “eye doctor” seem unnecessary and are oftentimes forgotten in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You may want to consider making an appointment, as you may unknowingly have or be at risk for a symptomless disease that gradually steals vision away. Take a minute to ask yourself these simple questions: Are you over age 50? Do you have high eye pressure? Do you have a family history of glaucoma? Are you African American? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be at risk for an eye disease called glaucoma. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, it is estimated that over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but only half know they have it! What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease in which improper conditions inside the eye gradually damage the optic nerve. The most common type of glaucoma is open angle glaucoma, also known as primary open angle glaucoma or PAOG. How does glaucoma damage vision? Glaucoma is most often caused by high eye pressure, developing after drainage channels in the eye become clogged. You may also hear it called high intraocular pressure or abbreviated IOP. When pressure is high inside the eye, damage to the optic nerve can occur.

Text Box: The optic nerve is like a cable, carrying messages about what we see to the brain. If glaucoma is not treated, nerve damage will eventually cause loss of peripheral (side) vision. With no treatment at all, blindness may result. What are the symptoms? Glaucoma has no symptoms! Surprisingly enough, high eye pressure does not hurt. In the early stages of the disease, you cannot see or feel the pressure in your eye. In fact, up to 40% of your optic nerve can be damaged, before you notice any change in vision! How is glaucoma detected? The only way to detect and prevent glaucoma is by visiting your eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) for regular and complete eye examinations. The tests used to detect glaucoma are simple and painless. Your family doctor may be able to tell you if you are at risk for glaucoma, but only eye doctors are trained to diagnose and treat the disease. How is glaucoma prevented? Since early stages of the disease have no symptoms, a regular visit to the eye doctor is the only method of prevention. The Glaucoma Foundation recommends scheduling visits as in the table. Are you at risk for glaucoma? The most common risk factors for glaucoma include, age over 50, high eye pressure or family history of high eye pressure, family history of glau

Text Box: coma, African American race, diabetes, history of eye trauma, and people who are severely nearsighted. Your eye doctor will be able to properly assess your risk. How is glaucoma treated? Many options exist for treating glaucoma. Current therapies are designed to lower eye pressure. Methods include eye drops, pills, laser surgery, eye operations, or a combination of methods. These options are very effective for most people, as lowering pressure has been shown to slow the advancement of glaucoma. The good news is that those suffering from glaucoma rarely lose their sight as long as the proper precautions are taken! The best way to prevent damage from glaucoma is with scheduled thorough eye exams, because you can’t treat something you don’t even know you have! For more information visit: www.learnaboutglaucoma.com www.glaucoma.org

Table. Recommended Glaucoma Screening
Age	If you have risk factors for glaucoma	If you have NO glaucoma risk factors
Under 45 years	Every 2 years	Every 4 years
45 years and older	Every year	Every 2 years