Help Prevent Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the optic nerve in the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss or blindness. This brochure is about primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease. What causes glaucoma? Clear fluid flows in and out of a small space at the front of the eye called the anterior chamber. This fluid bathes and nourishes nearby tissues. If this fluid drains too slowly, pressure builds up and damages the optic nerve. Though this buildup may lead to an increase in eye pressure, the effect of pressure on the optic nerve differs from person to person. Some people may get optic nerve damage at low pressure levels while others tolerate higher pressure levels. Who is most likely to get it? Millions of people have glaucoma. Anyone can get it, but some people are at higher risk: Ģ African Americans over the age of 40 Ģ Everyone over the age of 60, especially Mexican Americans Ģ People with a family history of glaucoma What are the symptoms? At first, there are no symptoms. Vision stays normal and there is no pain. But as the disease gets worse, side vision may begin to fail. Objects straight ahead may be clear, but objects to the side might be missed. When glaucoma is left untreated, the field of vision narrows and objects in the front can no longer be seen. How is it detected? Glaucoma is found most often during a dilated eye exam. In this procedure, drops are put into the eyes to enlarge the pupils. The eye care professional is then able to see more of the inside of the eye to check for signs of damage. The eye care professional will also measure eye pressure during the exam, but that alone does not detect the disease. How can it be treated? Although primary open-angle glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled. Here are the most common treatments: * Medications: These may be in the form of eyedrops or pills. Some drugs will help reduce pressure by slowing the flow of fluid into the eye. Others help to improve how the fluid drains. For most people, regular use of drops or pills will control the pressure inside the eye. But they may stop working over time, or they may cause side effects. If a problem occurs, an eye care professional may select other drugs, change the dose, or suggest other ways to deal with the problem. * Laser surgery: During laser surgery, a strong beam of light is focused on the part of the eye where the fluid drains, resulting in a series of small changes that make it easier for fluid to exit the eye. Over time, the effect of laser surgery may wear off. Patients who have this form of surgery may need to keep taking medications. * Surgery: Surgery can also help fluid drain from the eye and reduce the pressure. However, surgery is usually only used for patients whose pressure cannot be controlled with eye drops or laser surgery. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to control glaucoma before it causes major vision loss. If you are in one of the groups at higher risk, be sure to have your eyes examined through dilated pupils every one to two years by an eye care professional. What can you do to protect your vision? For more information You may wish to contact: Ģ American Academy of Ophthalmology P.O. Box 7424San Francisco, CA 94120-742418003913937 4155618500(EyeCare America Glaucoma EyeCare Program)www.aao.org Ģ American Optometric Association243 North Lindbergh BoulevardSt. Louis, MO 63141-785118003652219 3149914100E-mail: mailto:publicrelations@aoa.org publicrelations@aoa.org http://www.aoa.org www.aoa.org Ģ Glaucoma EyeCare ProgramEyeCare America18003913937 http://www.eyecareamerica.org www.eyecareamerica.org Ģ The Glaucoma Foundation80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1206New York, NY 100382122850080E-mail: mailto:info@glaucomafoundation.org info@glaucomafoundation.org http://www.glaucomafoundation.org www.glaucomafoundation.org Ģ Glaucoma Research Foundation251 Post Street, Suite 600San Francisco, CA 9410818008266693 4159863162 http://www.glaucoma.org www.glaucoma.org Ģ National Eye InstituteNational Institutes of Health2020 Vision PlaceBethesda, MD 20892-36553014965248E-mail: mailto:2020@nei.nih.go”>2020@nei.nih.go http://www.nei.nih.gov”>www.nei.nih.gov Ģ Prevent Blindness America211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700Chicago, IL 6060618003312020 3123636001E-mail: mailto:info@preventblindness.org info@preventblindness.org http://www.preventblindness.org www.preventblindness.org More about Satya B. Verma, OD, FAAO Optometrist; PA: Dr. Verma specializes in older people. Dr. Verma Elected to NCOA Board & Lectures at Colleges of Optometry in India In March, PCO hosted the formal meeting of the board of the National Council on Aging (NCOA). The board was in Philadelphia for the joint annual conference of NCOA and the American Society on Aging, which was held from March 8-12. Assistant Professor, Satya B. Verma, O.D., FAAO, 75, served as the co-chair of the conference. During this conference, he was re-elected to the newly reorganized board of NCOA. Also, Dr. Verma recently visited India as a special representative of the World Council of Optometry (WCO). He met with representatives from both optometry associations and colleges of optometry. He also lectured students at two schools in Mumbai, India, the Lotus College of Optometry and the optometry school at Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital. https://videos.whiteblox.com/gnb/secure/player.aspx?sid=32367″> http://healthyvision2010.org/