Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) About Glaucoma

Glaucoma can affect people of all races and genders, but the risk rises with age. African Americans and Latinos remain far more likely than other races to develop glaucoma, and they can acquire it sooner than others. Angle-closure glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that affects Asian and Inuit populations. People with diabetes are twice as likely as non-diabetics to develop glaucoma.

There are two main types of glaucoma – open-angle and closed-angle – that affect most people. However, other types of glaucoma include normal-tension glaucoma and congenital glaucoma. The causes may differ, and therefore the treatment method may vary as well.

Read more: What Is Glaucoma? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Surgery & Prevention

Glaucoma is harmful to vision because it damages the optic nerve. Everything you see gets transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. Any damage to it reduces the quality and quantity of information your brain receives, resulting in vision loss.

The different stages of glaucoma determine the severity of the condition, and the diagnosis and treatment get administered accordingly. Primarily, there are three stages of glaucoma – mild or early-stage glaucoma, moderate-stage glaucoma, and severe-stage glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness in African Americans and Hispanics. African Americans have three times the rate of glaucoma as Caucasians and four times the rate of blindness. Glaucoma is fifteen times more likely to cause blindness in African Americans than Caucasians between 45 and 64 years. People over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma than those under 60 years.

Simple eye pressure tests and a microscopic examination will usually alert your doctor to any problems that may indicate glaucoma. If glaucoma is suspected, a nerve fiber analyzer may get used to determine whether the optic nerve has been damaged, as well as a visual field test to determine the amount of peripheral vision loss.

There are several effective glaucoma treatments available that can slow the progression and damage to the optic nerve. Prescription medications or eye drops are among the treatments available. In some cases, you may require Laser Trabeculoplasty to open drainage holes in the eye, allowing fluid to flow more freely and potentially eliminating the need for daily eye drops.

Eye drops and, in rare cases, pills are the most commonly used treatments for glaucoma. Eye drops get classified into several types, but all get used to either reduce the amount of fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye or improve its outward flow. Doctors will sometimes prescribe a combination of eye drops. Based on the individual case of glaucoma, medical history, and current medication regimen, a doctor can determine which medications are best suited for a patient.

Although laser surgery can help control glaucoma symptoms, no treatments are currently available to cure the disease. Several laser surgery techniques can aid in draining fluid from the eyes or reduce the amount of fluid produced. These techniques help to maintain normal eye pressure and reduce the risk of further optic nerve damage.

If medications are ineffective or the patient is unable to tolerate them, a doctor may recommend surgery. The goal of surgery is usually to reduce the pressure inside the eye. Trabeculoplasty, filtering surgery, and drainage implants are all possible interventions.

When you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you might face lifelong treatment, regular checkups, and the possibility of progressive vision loss. Meeting and talking with other people who have glaucoma can be very beneficial, and there are many online support groups and resources available. Find out about local groups and meeting times by contacting hospitals and eye care centers in your area.

Prescription eye drops are the most commonly used treatment for glaucoma. It reduces the pressure in your eye and helps to protect your optic nerve. They cannot cure glaucoma or reverse vision loss, but they can prevent it from worsening. If your doctor prescribes eye drops, you must use them daily. Depending on the medication, you may need to take it once, twice, or up to four times per day.

Glaucoma is incurable, and you cannot restore lost vision. It is possible to slow or stop further vision loss with medication, laser treatment, and surgery. Because open-angle glaucoma cannot get cured, it must get monitored for the rest of one’s life. The first step toward preserving your vision is a diagnosis.

There are numerous glaucoma surgery options available. However, only use one if your doctor recommends it. Your eye doctor or ophthalmologist can usually treat glaucoma with prescribed eye drops and medication.

While there is no permanent cure for glaucoma, your eye doctor can treat its symptoms and make sure the condition does not worsen. If your glaucoma condition gets detected early, the treatment prescribed by your doctor can slow down its progression.

In general, you can avoid glaucoma-related blindness with early detection. Patients with glaucoma may go undiagnosed because they exhibit few to no symptoms. As a result, if detected and treated early, your eye doctor may be able to prevent permanent vision loss and blindness.

Early detection and treatment remain vital for patients with glaucoma. If your eye doctor can diagnose and treat your glaucoma early, they can prevent its progression and avoid blindness or vision loss altogether. So, yes, there is hope for glaucoma patients. Remember, regular eye checkups can help you detect any eye-related condition.

Fortunately, for the vast majority of patients, the answer is no. Blindness does occur due to glaucoma, but it is a relatively rare occurrence in approximately 5% of glaucoma patients. However, vision impairment is more common, affecting around 10% of patients. The vast majority of glaucoma patients will get stabilized with proper treatment and follow-up. Working with your doctor to manage your glaucoma will result in a positive outcome.

A high trans fatty acid diet can cause damage to the optic nerve. To avoid worsening your glaucoma, avoid foods such as cookies, cakes, and donuts, as well as fried items such as French fries and stick margarine.

Glaucoma is a silent thief of sight. The symptoms may not appear before the disease’s effects are felt. Regular eye exams are essential for detecting and controlling glaucoma. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the onset and impacts of glaucoma, such as limiting your intake of trans fat, saturated fat, caffeine, and simple carbohydrates.

Considering the questions and concerns you may have regarding glaucoma, this article has tried to address as many as possible. You can take this knowledge as a way to get your eyes checked regularly and seek treatment at the earliest.