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Glaucoma – What You Need to Know
Posted by: South Georgia / North Florida Eye Partners in Blog
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in adults over 60; however, it can occur as early as your 40’s. Since glaucoma normally progresses slowly with little or no warning signs before permanent damage has occurred, it is very important to schedule yearly eye exams to check for glaucoma and other eye health issues.
What is glaucoma?
In a healthy eye, clear fluid is constantly being made behind the iris and leaving the eye through a microscopic drainage canal in the front of the eye. If this drainage channel becomes blocked, the pressure inside the eye goes up and often causes glaucoma damage to the optic nerve. This is the nerve that connects the eye to the brain so damage to it causes loss of vision.
Who is at risk?
While the causes of glaucoma are not completely known, we do know that risk factors for its development include a family history of glaucoma, race and older age. Glaucoma may affect people of any age from newborns to the elderly but is more common in adults as they approach their senior years. African-Americans, Hispanics and people with diabetes are also at increased risk of developing the disease.
To learn more about glaucoma, it’s diagnosis and treatment, contact us today!
*Source: geteyesmart.org
