All About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases in the United States. Glaucoma affects diabetics and minority groups, primarily Hispanics and African-Americans. You have likely heard of glaucoma, but you may not know exactly what the disease is and how it affects your eye sight.

Anyone can suffer from glaucoma. In addition to the groups mentioned above, people 40 and older are also at larger risk for developing glaucoma. Family history for glaucoma can also increase your chances of developing it. You should begin to see a doctor annually after the age of 40 to monitor your retinas and overall eye health.

Glaucoma is when increased pressure is applied to the optical nerve, toying with how the nerve sends the visual register to the brain. This is why it affects your vision in a major way. If not treated, glaucoma can progress rapidly. Most people lose their peripheral vision first and eventually cannot cross the street on their own or operate a motor vehicle. It is possible for glaucoma to impair your vision so much that you can no longer see and can cause permanent blindness.

In most cases, glaucoma patients see blurs of color or shapes as they age. Glaucoma is not reversible, which is why visiting a doctor to keep careful watch on your eyes’ health is vital for your overall well-being. If a person loses some vision due to glaucoma, it is still worth seeing a doctor to stop the disease from progressing.