Am I at Risk for Glaucoma?

Sight is the most relied upon among the senses a human being has. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, and the condition may not show signs during its onset. It develops when fluid pressure builds up in your eye and damages your retina and optic nerve.

 

The vision loss that results from the condition is irreversible. However, you can slow or stop its progression through early treatment. It is essential to understand this eye problem to determine whether you are at risk of developing it.

 

Types of Glaucoma

There are two main types of glaucoma:

 

• Open-angle - The most common glaucoma type, also called wide-angle glaucoma. The structure that drains fluid in your eye looks fine, but the fluid does not flow out normally
   

• Angle-closure - This type is common in Asia. Some doctors call it narrow-angle glaucoma or chronic or acute angle closure. The draining space between your cornea and iris becomes too narrow to drain fluid from the eye as it should. As a result, there may be a sudden pressure buildup in the eye
  
   

Causes of Glaucoma

Glaucoma develops due to damage to the optic nerve. The main one is when internal pressure builds up in your eyeball. The buildup happens when there is a blockage in the drainage pathway that drains the fluid in your eye.

There are other less common causes, such as inflammatory conditions, severe eye infections, and chemical or blunt injury to the eye. Eye surgery or blockage of blood vessels in your eye can cause pressure buildup. As well, surgery causes this on rare occasions.

What Makes You at Risk of Glaucoma?

Below are some of the common factors that increase your risk:

 

• Age - As you continue to age, your risk of developing glaucoma increases
   

• Family History - Glaucoma has a genetic component. So if your close relatives suffer from it, you may develop the condition later
   

• Race - African Americans have a significant risk of developing the condition than Caucasians. Native Alaskans and Asians have a higher risk of the angle-closure type. People with Japanese heritage are likely to get it due to genetics or low blood pressure
   

• Corticoid steroid use - Using this type of steroid for an extended period increases the risk for glaucoma
   

• Medical conditions - Heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure increases your risk
   

• Some eye conditions - Eye injury or eye diseases can lead to inflammation, retinal detachment, or eye tumors that increase risk. Some studies claim that extreme myopia can lead to glaucoma
   

• Faulty eye surgery - If you undergo a faulty corneal transplant or a cataract surgery, you are at risk of glaucoma
  
   

Diagnosing Glaucoma

Regular eye examinations can detect glaucoma during its early stages. Taking a comprehensive optometric eye exam is essential so you can have your internal eye pressure seen by your optometrist. They can also check your optic nerve and measure your field of vision for a thorough diagnosis.

 

Once your optometrist diagnoses that you have glaucoma, no treatment can restore your eyesight to its once healthy state. However, treatment will help slow down its progression.

For more information about glaucoma, contact Cobb Corner Eye Care at our office in Stoughton, Massachusetts. You can call us at (781) 344-3335 to book an appointment today.