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Glaucoma PreventionAll About Glaucoma
What is Glaucoma?Glaucoma is a serious condition that involves an elevation in pressure inside the eye caused by a build-up of excess fluid. Left untreated, it can destroy the optic nerve, which is the main
nerve of the eye.
In most cases, it is a painless disease…and there are no symptoms other than loss of
vision, which can occur so gradually that many people do not realize it is happening.
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be treated. It if is spotted in its early stages,
blindness can almost always be prevented.
Normal Vision vs. Vision with Glaucoma
Glaucoma effects your peripheral vision first and if left untreated can lead to permanent blindness.
CausesBlocked drainage system (trabecular
meshwork)
Increased fluid production in the eye
Increased pressure of the eye
Can occur even with normal intraocular pressures (normal tension glaucoma)
Optic nerve damage occurs at different pressures for individuals
This damage is irreversible
Types of Glaucoma
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (most common)
Normal Tension
Glaucoma
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Acute Angle-closure
Glaucoma
Pigmentary Glaucoma
Childhood Glaucoma
Secondary Glaucoma (resulting from eye
trauma, eye disease, diabetes, or certain
medications)
Risk FactorsRace – African Americans and Hispanics
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African-Americans
People of Asian descent are at risk of developing acute-angle glaucoma
Heredity – Family history of glaucomaAge – People over 60; African-Americans over 40People with severe myopia/hyperopia Increased eye pressureUse of steroidsDiabetesHypertension (high blood pressure)ObesityVigorous Exercise (with pigmentary glaucoma)
Detection of Glaucoma
Immediate treatment for glaucoma can delay progression of the disease. That's why early diagnosis is very important.
People at risk should receive a comprehensive dilated eye exam regularly – every one to two years. During a comprehensive eye examine, the eye doctor will dilate the pupils, measure eye pressure (IOP), and test the visual field.
How often to See Your Eye DoctorDo NOT wait until a change in your vision occurs. A comprehensive eye exam should be performed every three to five
years at age 40, unless you have risk factors for developing glaucoma (in this case, every one to two years)
After 60, a comprehensive eye exam should be performed every year.
Regardless of risk factors, it is advised to have an eye exam every one to two years – early detection of any eye disease can save your vision and/or prevent further vision loss.
Symptoms & TreatmentIn most cases, there are no
early symptoms, causing no pain.
Unless the pressure is very high, elevated eye pressure cannot be felt.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma symptoms may include blurred vision, nausea, headaches, and halos around bright light
First, peripheral vision begins deteriorating.
Once vision loss occurs, it cannot be restored because the optic nerves have been destroyed
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but can be maintained through:Medication (usually in the
form of eye drops)Laser Therapy
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)90% of glaucoma
patients are candidates
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT)
Filtration SurgeryAlternative to
trabeculectomy
Preventing GlaucomaRegular eye exams
Detects glaucoma before irreparable damage occurs
Treat elevated eye pressureLowering eye pressure can decrease the chances
that it will lead to glaucomaControl weight and blood pressure
Insulin resistance is linked to elevated intraocular pressure (the pressure inside the eye)
Wear eye protectionSecondary glaucoma can result from eye injuries
A Preventative LifestyleRegular exercise and a
nutritious dietAvoid alcohol, excessive
caffeine, and smoking – all of these can increase intraocular pressure
Certain foods can help preserve your vision
These guidelines are good to follow to help prevent most eye diseases
A Healthy Diet for Your EyesEat plenty of green leafy vegetables,
such as spinach, Swiss chard and endive. Salad greens contain Lutein and Zeaxanthin, plant pigments with powerful antioxidant properties that protect the eye.
Limit sugar intake and control blood sugar levels. Diabetes may increase the risk of glaucoma in women, according to the Nurses' Health Study, the results of which appeared in the July 2006 issue of "Ophthalmology." Obesity is also related to elevated eye pressure.
Avoid lots of red meats, and focus on wild-caught fish and seafood as sources of Vitamin E and Zinc. Eat foods high in Omega-3s, or consider taking a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil to supplement your diet.
Add a serving of dark berries to a daily meal. These berries, plus orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, contain carotenoids, which are necessary for good vision.
More Ways to a Healthy VisionConsult with your doctor and ask whether
vitamins supplements are right for you. Make an appointment with a registered dietician who can help develop a diet plan specific to your needs.Control blood pressure and other medical conditions
New studies show that aerobic exercise may actually decrease intraocular pressure briefly.
Avoid vigorous weight lifting and inverted yoga positions – as these will tend to increase intraocular pressure
Test your Eye-QGlaucoma is more common in
African- Americans than in Whites
Glaucoma tends to run in families
A person can have glaucoma and not know it
People over 60 are more likely to get glaucoma
Eye pain is often a symptom of glaucoma
TRUE FALSE
Test your Eye-QGlaucoma can be controlled
Glaucoma is caused by increased eye pressure
Vision loss from glaucoma can be restored
A complete glaucoma exam consists only of measuring eye pressure
People at risk for glaucoma should have an eye examination through dilated pupils
TRUE FALSE
Summary of GlaucomaGlaucoma is three to four times more likely to occur in African
Americans than in Whites. In addition, glaucoma is six times more likely to cause blindness in African Americans than in Whites.
Although glaucoma tends to run in families, a hereditary basis has not been established. If someone in your immediate family has glaucoma, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination every one to two years.
The early stages of open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, usually have no warning signs. However, as the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice his or her side vision gradually failing.
Everyone over age 60 is at an increased risk for glaucoma, especially Mexican Americans. Other groups at increased risk are African Americans over age 40 and people with a family history of glaucoma. Children and babies can also develop glaucoma.
People with glaucoma usually do not experience pain from the disease.
Although glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled by eyedrops or pills, conventional surgery, or laser surgery. Sometimes eye care professionals will recommend a combination of surgery and medication.
Increased eye pressure means you are at increased risk for glaucoma, but does not mean you have the disease. A person has glaucoma only if the optic nerve is damaged. If you have increased eye pressure but no damage to the optic nerve, you do not have glaucoma. Follow the advice of your doctor.
Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent. However, with early detection and treatment, the progression of vision loss can be slowed or halted, and the risk of blindness reduced.
A measurement of eye pressure by Tonometry, though an important part of a comprehensive eye exam, is, by itself, not sufficient for the detection of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is detected most often during an eye examination through dilated pupils. Drops are put into the eyes during the exam to enlarge the pupils, which allows the eye care professional to see more of the inside of the eye to check for signs of glaucoma. When indicated, a visual field test should also be performed.
You only have one pair of eyes, so routine eye exams are the best way to ensure that they are healthy! No matter at what age, routine eye exams should be important to you. Don’t wait until you notice vision loss to get an eye exam. You may never regain what vision has been lost.
Presented by The Eye Center of Texas
www.eyecenteroftexas.com