Glaucoma and Aging Eyes

Did you know that women are more likely than men to have glaucoma? About 60% of glaucoma cases are from women. They also are more likely to become visually impaired or blind due to glaucoma. Because glaucoma often has no symptoms until vision loss begins, early detection is crucial. 

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a chronic condition caused when fluids don't drain properly from the eye causing a buildup of pressure that ultimately leads to damage of the optic nerve. There are multiple forms of glaucoma, but open-angle glaucoma is most typically associated with aging and develops gradually with little or no symptoms. 

Regular eye exams can help identify the condition before significant damage occurs, making timely treatment and vision preservation possible. As a first step, the American Academy of Ophthalmology's guidelines suggest that it's a very good idea to see an ophthalmologist for regular eye exams beginning at age 40. Visiting an eye doctor before problems arise allows the physician to get a baseline reading of your eye health, so they will be able to flag any changes in your vision at an early stage and develop a treatment plan right away. 

Most people who have glaucoma don't notice any symptoms until they start to gradually lose some of their eyesight. As the optic nerve is damaged by glaucoma, small blind spots may begin to develop. They often affect the side (peripheral) vision. Many people don't notice the blind spots until major optic nerve damage has already happened. If the entire nerve is destroyed, the person becomes blind.

How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

How Is it Treated?

The goal of treatment is to control glaucoma by lowering eye pressure that can cause damage to the optic nerve.

• Eye drops and pills may be used to lower eye pressure. Some medicines reduce the amount of fluid your eyes make. Others increase drainage of fluid from the eyes.
• Lasers can be used to increase drainage.
• If other treatments don't work, surgery may be advised.

While there isn't a cure for glaucoma, the good news is that if it's caught early, treatments help slow down the disease and prevent further vision loss. Glaucoma can sometimes look like other eye conditions, so it's important to see your doctor for the correct diagnosis.