Glaucoma is actually a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning.  In the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms.  Experts estimate that half of the people affected by glaucoma may not know they have it.  The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get tested.  Diagnosis is the first step in preserving your vision.

Page Contents:
Glaucoma Facts
Glaucoma Statistics
Types of Glaucoma
Screening & Diagnosis
What Can I Do?
More Information & Resources

Glaucoma Facts

1. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness.  And unfortunately, approximately 10 percent of people who receive proper treatment still experience vision loss.
2. There is no cure for glaucoma yet. Glaucoma is not curable and vision loss cannot be regained.  With medication and/or surgery, it is possible to halt further vision loss.  Since glaucoma is a chronic condition, it must be monitored for life.
3. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma—from babies to seniors.  Older people are at a higher risk but babies can be born with glaucoma (approximately 1 out of every 10,000 babies born in the U.S.)
4. There may be no warning symptoms.  With open angle glaucoma, the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms.  Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision.  You may compensate for this unconsciously by turning your head to the side, and may not notice anything until significant vision is lost.

Back to top

Glaucoma Statistics

• An estimated 3 million Americans have glaucoma but only half know they do.
• Approximately 120,000 people are blind from glaucoma, accounting for 9-12 percent of all cases of blindness in the U.S.
• About 2 percent of the population ages 40-50 and 8 percent of people over 70 have elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) or pressure inside the eye.
• Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization.
• High risk groups include: African-Americans, people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severely nearsighted.
• In terms of Social Security benefits, lost income tax revenues, and health care expenditures, the cost to the U.S. government is estimated to be over $1.5 billion annually.

Back to top

Types of Glaucoma

The two main types of glaucoma are primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and angle closure glaucoma.  These are marked by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye.

1. Angle Closure Glaucoma
   Also known as acute glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma.  Occurs when drainage canals get blocked or covered over.  Symptoms may include headaches, eye pain, nausea, rainbows around lights at night and very blurred vision.
2. Irido Corneal Endothelial Syndrome (ICE)
   Rare form that occurs in one eye versus both.  Occurs when cells on the back surface of the cornea spread over the eye's drainage tissue and across the surface of the iris, increasing eye pressure and damaging the optic nerve.  Most common in light-skinned females.  Symptoms can include hazy vision upon awakening and the appearance of halos around lights.  Treatment can include medications and filtering surgery.
3. Neovascular Glaucoma
   The abnormal formation of new blood vessels on the iris and over the eye's drainage channels. The new blood vessels block the eye's fluid from exiting causing a buildup in pressure.  It is always associated with other abnormalities, most often diabetes.  It never occurs on its own. This type of glaucoma is very difficult to treat.
4. Normal Tension Glaucoma
   Also known as low-tension glaucoma or normal pressure glaucoma.  Occurs when the optic nerve has been damaged but intraocular pressure (IOP) isn't very high.  This is mostly treated with medication, laser surgery or filtering surgery.
5. Pediatric Glaucoma
   There are many types: congenital (present at birth), infantile (appears within first three years), juvenile (ages 3 through teens and early adult) and all the secondary glaucomas occuring in the pediatric age group.  Treament is very different than that for adult glaucoma.  It is very important to catch pediatric glaucoma early in order to prevent blindness.  Symptoms include unusually large eyes, excessive tearing, cloudy eyes, light sensitivity.
6. Pigmentary Glaucoma
   Occurs when the pigment granules in the back of the iris break into the clear fluid produced by the eye.  The granules flow toward the drainage canals in the eye and slowly clog them, causing pressure to rise.  Treatment usually includes medications or surgery.
7. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
   The most common form, affecting about 3 million Americans.  It happens when the eye's drainage canals become blocked over time.  There are usually no symptoms or early warning signs.  This type of glaucoma develops slowly and sometimes without noticeable sight loss for years.  It usually responds well to medication, especially if caught early enough.
8. Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma
   Occurs when dandruff-like material peels off the outer layer of the lens within the eye.  The material collects in the angle between the cornea and iris and can clog the drainage system of the eye, causing eye pressure to rise.  Most common in people of Scandinavian desent.  Treatment usually includes medications or surgery.
9. Secondary Glaucoma
   Another disease causes or contributes to increased eye pressure, resulting in optic nerve damage and vision loss. Can result from an eye injury, inflammation, tumor or in advanced cases of cataract or diabetes.  This form may be mild or severe and treatment depends on whether it is open angle or angle closure glaucoma.
10. Traumatic Glaucoma
    Caused by injury to the eye.  This can occur immediately after the injury or years later.  Can be caused by blunt injuries that "bruise" the eye or by injuries that penetrate the eye.  Conditions like severe nearsightedness, previous injury, infection or prior surgery may make the eye more vulnerable to a serious eye injury.

Back to top

Screening & Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects that you have glaucoma, he or she may perform a series of tests to detect any signs of damage.  The usual initial screening for glaucoma is tonometry, which is a simple, painless procedure.  Two common techniques include air-puff tonometry and applanation tonometry.  The first uses a puff of air pressure to measure the amount of force needed to indent your cornea.  The second uses a slit of light to illuminate your cornea, iris, lens and anterior chamber, allowing your doctor a good view of these structures.

To establish a diagnosis of glaucoma, several factors must be present:

• Elevated intraocular pressure
• Areas of vision loss
• Damage to optic nerve

Back to top

What Can I Do?

• Regular eye exams, every 2-4 years after age 40 and every 1-2 years after age 65, are the key in detecting glaucoma early enough for successful treatment.  Don't wait for problems of any kind to occur.  Remember, primary open angle glaucoma has few or no warning signs until permanent damage is done.
• Because African-Americans have a much higher risk of glaucoma (6-8 times more than Caucasians), screening should begin every 3-5 years from age 20-29, and every 2-4 years after age 30.
• Be alert for signs or symptoms of an acute angle closure glaucoma attack, such as a severe headache or pain in your eye or eyebrow, nausea, blurred vision or rainbow halos around lights.  If you experience any of these problems, seek immediate care at your local hospital emergency room.
• If you've received a diagnosis of glaucoma, establish a regular schedule of examinations with your doctor to ensure your treatment is helping maintain a safe pressure in your eyes.
• If you've been prescribed medication for your glaucoma, take exactly as instructed.

Back to top

More Information & Resources

• Need help finding an eye doctor or glaucoma screening location?  United Way 2-1-1™ is a free and confidential referral service.  Just call 2-1-1 from your phone or visit the online version: www.beehivetwincities.org.
• Find information about DeafBlind Services and all United Way health and independence partner agencies.
• Read about Jeff, a blind magician who teaches others about disability awareness.

Back to top

Sources: Glaucoma Research Foundation (800-826-6693), Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com), Prevent Blindness America, National Eye Health Program/National Institutes of Health, American Academy of Opthalmology, NEI, Report of the Glaucoma Panel, Fall 1998