Eye and Vision Care

Glaucoma: The Sneak Thief of Sight

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the United States, affecting more than 3 million Americans. Half of those people may not even realize they have the disease. People at high risk for glaucoma include:

Everyone 60 and older
African Americans 40 or older
Those with a family history of glaucoma

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and the Glaucoma Research Foundation has compiled the following statistics as a reminder of the severity of the disease:

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization.
Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Estimates put the total number of suspected cases of glaucoma at around 65 million worldwide, according to Quigley, "Number of people with glaucoma worldwide," 1996.

Attitudes about glaucoma assessed by "Research to Prevent Blindness" and reported on the Glaucoma Research Foundation: Facts and Stats Page reveal:

Blindness ranked third (after cancer and heart disease) as people's major fear.
20% of people knew that glaucoma was related to elevated pressure within the eye. Most of them mistakenly thought people with glaucoma always experience symptoms, that glaucoma was easily cured, or that glaucoma did not lead to blindness.
50% had heard of glaucoma, but weren't sure what it was.
30% had never heard of glaucoma.

Glaucoma gives no early warning signs of potential vision loss. By the time you realize you are losing your eyesight, the vision you have already lost is gone forever. People at high risk for glaucoma need an eye exam at least every other year.

Testing For Glaucoma

A dilated eye exam is the best way to test for glaucoma. During a dilated eye exam, the doctor puts drops into each eye to dilate the pupils. This allows a better view of the eye's optic nerve, which can show early signs of glaucoma. If your doctor detects early signs of the disease, it can be controlled, and your remaining vision protected.

Glaucoma usually occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eye steadily increases. This can lead to optic nerve damage and reduced peripheral (side) vision. As the disease worsens, the field of vision gradually narrows, ultimately leading to blindness without treatment.

A free brochure, "Don't Lose Sight of Glaucoma," is available from your eye care professional or by writing to:

Glaucoma
2020 Vision Place
Bethesda, MD 20892-3655

You can also contact the American Optometric Association for its Vision FAX brochure called "Glaucoma can't be prevented, but it can be controlled." Call 1-800-365-2219 and ask for brochure #0069.

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Last Reviewed: Dec 31, 2008

Robert D. Newcomb, OD, MPH, FAAO
Professor of Clinical Optometry
College of Optometry
The Ohio State University