Glaucoma is a silent disease; one that damages the optic nerve in your eyes and can eventually cause blindness. Of the three million Americans who have glaucoma, 50% are not aware of it. The condition affects men and women of all ages and is the second leading cause of blindness in the world.  The ophthalmologists at Medical Eye Center in Columbia, MD, are here to discuss this disease and offer ways to protect your eyes.

What causes glaucoma? It’s tough to say—even doctors and medical researchers don’t know for sure. Ophthalmologists believe the condition has to do with high intraocular pressure inside the eye, which can compress and eventually damage the optic nerve. It starts within the aqueous humor, a clear fluid that circulates and nourishes the eye. It eventually drains out, but if there is any sort of blockage, this fluid can build up, creating high pressure. However, even people with normal eye pressure can develop glaucoma. 

Risk factors for glaucoma include older age, thin corneas, family history, previous eye injuries, and steroid use. In many cases, there aren’t many obvious warning signs, and vision loss occurs slowly over a period of time. Patients may not notice there’s a problem until it’s too late. Blindness from glaucoma is irreversible, even with surgery.

However, if glaucoma is detected early, there is a chance to delay the disease and preserve your eyesight. Make appointments to see your eye doctor on a regular basis so he or she can monitor the disease and make sure your eye prescriptions are working correctly.

If you’ve noticed any eye problems, including blurry vision, eye pain, severe headaches, or a sudden loss of vision, it’s time to schedule an eye exam. For more information on glaucoma, contact the ophthalmologists at Medical Eye Center. Call (410) 997-9900 to make an eye appointment or visit the website for a full list of vision services.