every yearin medical costsand productivitylosses.

billion$2.86Glaucoma coststhe U.S. economy

at least

people.million6

it is estimated thatthe number will double to

Americansaged 40 and olderhave glaucoma.

million3more than

BY 2050TODAY

Glaucoma is a leading causeof irreversible blindness

· There is no cure for glaucoma.

· Vision loss caused by glaucoma is permanent.

· Early detection is your best defense.

Other types includecongenital, juvenile,and secondaryglaucoma.

often has no symptomsuntil su�erers beginto lose theirperipheral vision.

NORMAL-TENSIONGLAUCOMA

progresses moreslowly and candamage the eyewithoutsymptoms.

CHRONIC ANGLE-CLOSUREGLAUCOMA

rainbow haloaround lights

blurredvision

vomitingnauseaseverepain

Symptoms may include:

is a medical emergencyand must be treatedimmediately or blindnesscould result in one or two days.

ACUTE ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA

Open-angle glaucomahas no symptomsuntil su�erers beginto lose theirperipheral vision.

of people with glaucomahave this form.

70-90%RoughlyThis is the most predominant form.OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is a groupof eye disordersthat eventually leadto optic nerve damage,which can then leadto vision lossor complete blindness.

What isglaucoma?

low eyepressure

family historyof glaucoma

cardiovasculardisease

eye surgeryor injury

family historyof glaucoma

farsightednessolder age

use ofcorticosteroids

high bloodpressure

eye surgeryor injury

diabetes

severenearsightedness

being olderthan age 60

for the generalpopulation

being olderthan age 40

African American

suspiciousoptic nerveappearance

family historyof glaucoma

thin corneahigh eyepressure

NORMAL-TENSIONGLAUCOMA

ANGLE-CLOSUREGLAUCOMA

POTENTIAL FACTORS

OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Strong risk factors for...

Asian Americans should be aware of theincreased risk for angle-closure glaucoma andnormal-tension glaucoma relative to otherindividuals with glaucoma.

more likelyto cause blindnessin African Americans thanin Caucasians.

times15Between the ages of45 and 64, glaucoma is

more common amongAfrican Americans and Hispanicsthan Caucasians.

times3-4In the United States, glaucoma is approximately

Certain groups of peopleare at a higher risk forglaucoma

For full sources, visit www.brightfocus.org/sourcesglaucoma

Early diagnosis and treatmentare key to saving your sight from glaucoma.

Other tests include:

OPTIC NERVE TESTING

allows the doctorto monitor any optic nervechanges over time usingspecial computer imagingmachines.

GONIOSCOPY TESTING

allows the doctor to viewthe angle at which the irismeets the cornea using a special contact lensplaced on the numbedeye.

PARCHYMETRY TESTING

measures cornealthickness using anultrasonic waveinstrument that brieflytouches the numbed eye.

VISUAL ACUITY TESTING

measures how wellpatients can read a chartfrom various distances.

TONOMETRY TESTING

measures eye pressureusing a puff of air or aninstrument that brieflytouches the numbed eye.

VISUAL FIELD TESTING

measures straight-aheadand side vision usinglights of varyingbrightness.

Special drops temporarily

enlarge the pupilso the doctor can better see inside the eye.

A dilated pupil eye examis the most e�ective way to detect glaucoma.

are likely awarethat they have it.

glaucomapeople living with

Only half of

Less than half of all adult Americanshave comprehensive dilated eye examsat least every two years.

Non-InvasivePainless

Annualcomprehensivedilated eyeexamsare the best wayto protect your visionagainst glaucoma.

www.brightfocus.org (800) 437-2423

www.brightfocus.org (800) 437-2423

Prevent this devastating disease from stealing your vision

GlaucomaSave Your Sight from