What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a term that covers several eye diseases that gradually lead to blindness. Glaucoma has few warning signs and very few symptoms. The first sign of glaucoma is generally the loss of peripheral vision.

There are two major types of glaucoma, although there are several categories of the disease within each type. Glaucoma and cataracts are often thought of as the same disease, but the two illnesses, while often seen together, are unrelated.

The first type of glaucoma is chronic or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). POAG is caused by the eye canal becoming blocked and forces pressure in the eye to rise due to lack of drainage. This form of glaucoma affects more than three million Americans and if caught early responds well to treatment. Without regular eye exams, POAG causes gradual vision loss and is often un-repairable if diagnosed to late.

The second major type of glaucoma is known as acute or angle closure glaucoma. It is not as common as POAG and differs in that the pressure in the eye develops at a faster rate. This type of glaucoma is characterized by the iris and cornea not opening fully as they should. Treatment for this type generally involves surgery to trim the outer edges of the iris. Symptoms of angle closure glaucoma can include blurred vision, headaches and nausea.

Other types of the disease can include Normal Tension, Secondary, Pigmentary, Traumatic, and Neovascular glaucoma's.

Glaucoma can also be heredity, especially in those with a family history of the disease or of Japanese descent. Others at risk include those with heart problems or those who have suffered eye injuries.

Prevention is the key to keep from developing glaucoma in any form. Regular eye exams and talks with your eye specialist can help to diagnose the disease early enough for treatment. Glaucoma is the number one cause of blindness in the world and the second leading cause in the United States. With proper eye care, glaucoma-induced blindness can be prevented.

Written by Kat Yares