Glaucoma affects millions of people, and it ranks among the leading causes of blindness in adults over 60. Because many forms of the condition progress slowly and without noticeable warning signs, a person may not be aware of any change in vision until the disease has advanced. Learning who faces a higher likelihood of developing glaucoma and how eye care professionals identify it can help you take an informed approach to your eye health.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a term for a group of eye disorders that damage the optic nerve, the bundle of nerve fibers that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage is often linked to elevated pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). The eye continually produces a clear fluid that nourishes its internal structures. Under typical conditions, this fluid exits through a drainage area. When the fluid cannot leave the eye at the proper rate, pressure builds, and this gradually harms the optic nerve. Without monitoring and care, this damage may lead to vision loss.
Open-Angle Glaucoma
Glaucoma generally falls into a few main categories. Open-angle glaucoma accounts for most cases, making it the most frequently diagnosed form. The drainage angle remains open in this type, but the fluid does not flow out of the eye efficiently. Pressure tends to rise slowly over months or years. People with open-angle glaucoma may not notice symptoms in the early stages, and peripheral vision is often the first to be affected.
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma represents a small number of cases. The drainage passage becomes narrowed and eventually blocked in this form, which prevents fluid from leaving the eye. The blockage can occur suddenly, so eye pressure rises quickly.
What Are the Risk Factors?
Glaucoma may develop in anyone, but certain characteristics are associated with a higher likelihood of the condition. Elevated eye pressure is the most significant known risk factor. There are other factors that increase risk, including:
- Family History: Glaucoma often runs in families. People with a parent, sibling, or other immediate family member who has been diagnosed are more likely to develop it.
- Age: The likelihood of glaucoma increases with age. Adults over 60 are more likely to develop the condition than younger individuals.
- Race and Ethnicity: African Americans are more likely to develop glaucoma than the general population. People of Latino and Asian descent may also face an elevated risk.
Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean a person will develop glaucoma. It does indicate that regular eye exams may be beneficial.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Optometrists can use several tests to check for glaucoma during a comprehensive eye exam. Early stages often produce no symptoms, so these evaluations are a primary way to identify changes in the eye. One common test is tonometry, which measures IOP. The process typically follows these steps:
- The optometrist applies numbing eye drops so the test is comfortable.
- A small instrument gently touches the surface of the eye to measure the pressure of the fluid inside.
- The reading is then recorded.
A normal IOP generally falls between 10 and 20 mm Hg. A reading above this range may prompt further evaluation.
Confer With an Optometrist
Optometrists can evaluate pressure measurements alongside optic nerve imaging, visual field testing, and corneal thickness measurements. Certain symptoms call for prompt attention; sudden eye pain, redness, blurred vision, headache, nausea, or the appearance of halos around lights may be associated with angle-closure glaucoma. If you have risk factors or notice changes in your vision, an optometrist can recommend an exam schedule suited to your eye health history.
