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National Glaucoma Awareness Month

The "Silent Thief": Why You Need to Know About Glaucoma

A new year is the perfect time to focus on our health. We set goals for diet, exercise, and check-ups. But what about a health threat you can't see or feel?

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in the world. It’s often called the "Silent Thief of Sight" for one simple, terrifying reason: it has virtually no symptoms until permanent vision loss has already occurred.

You can have 20/20 vision and still have glaucoma. You can feel perfectly fine and still have glaucoma.

This is why an annual, comprehensive eye exam is one of the most important things you can do for your health this year.

 

What Is Glaucoma?

Think of your eye as a digital camera and your optic nerve as the "data cable" that connects it to your brain. Glaucoma is a disease that damages this cable.

In most cases, this damage is caused by a slow, painless increase in the pressure inside your eye (your intraocular pressure, or IOP). This pressure presses on the delicate optic nerve, and over time, it chokes off the nerve fibers, one by one.

The result? You begin to lose vision.

 

The Danger: It Starts From the Outside In

Here is what makes glaucoma so deceptive: it doesn't start by blurring the words on this page.

Glaucoma typically steals your peripheral (or side) vision first. You might not notice the loss of vision at the edges of your sight until the disease is very advanced. By the time it starts to create "tunnel vision" or affect your central, straight-ahead sight, the damage done is permanent and cannot be recovered.

 

Are You at Risk?

While anyone can get glaucoma, some groups are at a much higher risk. It's critical to have an annual exam if you:

  • Have a family history of glaucoma: This is one of the biggest risk factors.
  • Are over 60: The risk increases significantly with age.
  • Are of African American or Hispanic descent: Glaucoma is not only more common in these groups but also more likely to occur earlier and be more aggressive.
  • Have diabetes: Those with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma.
  • Have high eye pressure, thin corneas, or a previous eye injury.

 

How We Detect It: It's More Than the "Puff Test"

Many people think the "puff of air" test (which measures your eye pressure) is the only test for glaucoma. While measuring your IOP is a vital piece of the puzzle, it's not the whole story. Some people develop glaucoma even with "normal" pressure.

A comprehensive glaucoma exam at The Eye Place involves much more.

We will dilate your pupils to get a clear, 3D view of your optic nerve. We look for subtle changes in its color, shape, and health that are the earliest warning signs of damage—long before you ever notice a change in your vision.

For at-risk patients, we can also use advanced technology like retinal imaging (OCT) to scan the optic nerve and measure its thickness down to the micron.

 

The Good News: We Can Fight Back

We may not be able to reverse the damage, but we can stop it in its tracks.

When detected early, glaucoma can be managed very effectively with simple prescription eye drops, and in some cases, laser procedures. The goal of treatment is to lower the pressure in your eye to a safe level to protect your optic nerve from any further damage.

This January, make your vision a priority. Don't let the "silent thief" steal your sight.

Whether you have risk factors or it's simply been a while since your last exam, schedule your comprehensive eye exam today. Call The Eye Place at 804-794-3937 or book your appointment online.