Affecting nearly three million Americans, glaucoma is a relatively common eye disease. Since it can potentially cause vision loss, doctors stress the importance of routine eye exams and ongoing care to properly diagnose and treat the condition. Here's what you need to know about glaucoma, so you can work on treating and preventing it.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the world. While 3 million people have glaucoma, only about half of them are aware of it. This is why it’s important to have regular eye exams to check for any symptoms. Some symptoms you might notice at home include loss of your peripheral vision, your eyes not adjusting to the dark, or blurred or foggy vision, especially after waking up.

Glaucoma is actually an umbrella term for several diseases that cause elevated pressure in the eye, resulting in blindness. The progression of glaucoma is painless and very gradual, which is why many patients don’t notice until the damage is substantial.

How Is It Treated?

An eye doctor can prevent more damage to the eye through treatment. Unfortunately, existing vision loss is permanent. However, if the disease is caught early, it is easier to help patients keep their vision.

Treating glaucoma focuses on reducing the pressure in the eye. Sometimes a patient will be prescribed oral medications or prescription eye drops. If these don’t work, another option is surgery using a laser or a scalpel. In severe cases, an eye surgeon may put a very small shunt in a patient’s eye to drain excess fluid. The point of all of these treatments is to keep pressure at a manageable level.

How Can I Prevent It?

The main way to prevent blindness from glaucoma is to get regular eye exams. This allows a doctor to check for the disease before you even start to notice symptoms or experience any blindness. Before age 40, you should get an eye exam every two to four years. From 40-54, increase to every 1-3 years. People aged 55-64 need an eye exam every 1-2 years, and people over 65 should get one every six to twelve months.

Although the main prevention key is regular eye exams, there are some other steps you can take. Exercise is beneficial for your health in many ways, and it’s been found to decrease elevated intraocular pressure. Aim for exercising three or more times a week. Glaucoma can also result from eye injuries. During sports or home improvement projects, wear protective eyewear. 

Medical Eye Center in Columbia, MD offers the best ophthalmology care in the area. They focus on providing eye exams focused on detecting, preventing, and treating a range of ocular problems, including glaucoma. They have six eye doctors covering a wide array of specialties so you’re always in good hands. Visit their website or call (410) 997-9900 to schedule an eye exam and glaucoma screening.