More than 2 million Americans are slowly losing their eyesight—and
they don’t even know it. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in
the United States, with more than 2.2 million Americans diagnosed with the
disease and another 2 million undiagnosed cases losing sight every day. But
glaucoma can be treated, and it can be stopped. And now, during Glaucoma
Awareness Month, doctors are urging you to get tested.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the
optic nerves and ultimately lead to blindness. Everyone, from babies to senior
citizens, is at risk for glaucoma though some groups are most at risk: people
with a family history of the condition, and people—especially Latinos—older than
60. In fact, doctors aren’t sure why, but glaucoma is the leading cause of
blindness among Latinos.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma is made up of a few different eye diseases usually
(though not always) caused by increased pressure within the eye. This pressure
comes from a buildup of a naturally produced fluid in the eye, a fluid called
aqueous humor.
In the most common form of glaucoma, which is called primary
open-angle glaucoma, microscopic drainage channels within the eye become
blocked, causing aqueous humor to drain out of the eye too slowly, building up
pressure and damaging the optic nerve—ultimately causing a loss of vision.
In a second form of glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, the
iris bulges forward and completely blocks drainage. This causes the eye
pressure to increase abruptly, again causing nerve damage and vision loss.
Are there any symptoms?
While the day-to-day loss of vision is so minimal that it’s
almost undetectable, there are a few symptoms common in both types of glaucoma.
These include: a loss of peripheral vision that leads to tunnel vision; severe
eye pain accompanied by nausea or vomiting; blurred vision; halos around lights;
and a reddening of the eye.
Can glaucoma be treated?
Even though glaucoma can’t be cured and damage can’t be
reversed, treatment and regular checkups can prevent further loss of eyesight
in people in the beginning stages of the disease—but you have to get tested to
know if you have glaucoma and if so, how much it has progressed. Studies show
that only 38 percent of Latinos are aware of their condition, though it is
diagnosed after simple, noninvasive tests.
Treatments for glaucoma aim to reduce the pressure within
the eye by improving the movement of the fluid in the eye. The first line of
treatment is usually a medicated eye drop that improves drainage or reduces or
increases the production of fluid. In some extreme cases surgery may be
prescribed.
What should Latinos do next?
Emotions and mistrust can all cloud our vision. But the
clear reality is that glaucoma can be slowed, it can be treated, and vision
loss can be stopped. So get your eyes tested today.
To learn more go to glaucoma.org.
