What To Know About Glaucoma

Let's talk about glaucoma. I know talking about eye diseases that cause blindness is scary, but you can prevent vision loss by knowing about glaucoma and getting screened if you're at risk.

First, what is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (the cable that connects the eye to the brain). Each cell that makes up the optic nerve carries one small part of your vision from your eye to your brain, which allows you to see. In glaucoma, these cells die over time. As a result, the connection between the eye and the brain gets thinner and thinner over time and vision is lost. Typically, peripheral vision is lost first and may not be noticeable, but eventually if glaucoma is not treated, it will also affect the cells that carry central vision.

Why does this happen? The truth is, we don't really know. We know there are risk factors that make glaucoma more likely in certain people. First, we know it has a genetic component, which means you are more likely to have glaucoma if one of your family members has been diagnosed with it. We also know it is more likely in eyes that have had injuries, complex surgeries, inflammation (uveitis) or certain viral infections (like shingles involving the eye). Typically, the people who come to see me have a family member with glaucoma, have been told on prior eye exams that they have thin optic nerves (optic nerve cupping), or they have been told they have high eye pressure.

What's the deal with eye pressure? We know that the pressure inside the eye is associated with glaucoma damage and progression. This pressure is separate from blood pressure and other bodily conditions and is simply the pressure of the fluid that fills the eyeball. Eye pressure is important, but it's not the whole picture. Some people have low eye pressures with glaucoma, and some people have high eye pressures without glaucoma. What really matters is the health of the optic nerve, and what pressure prevents optic nerve damage in your particular eye.

How can I find out if I have glaucoma? The only way to know if you have glaucoma is to undergo a glaucoma screening. This is especially important if you have any of the risk factors listed above. A complete glaucoma screening is not just a pressure check of the eye; it also includes measuring the thickness of your optic nerve (to check for thinning) and measuring your peripheral vision for any cloudy spots that don't see as well as they should.

Every year, I ask my current glaucoma patients to recommend screenings to their family members. Glaucoma is much easier to address if we are able to catch it early. Also every year, unfortunately, I have patients come in with severe glaucoma damage and vision loss. Once optic nerve tissue has been lost, it cannot come back. We can only work to prevent future losses.

Is there hope for my vision if I find out I have glaucoma? Yes, absolutely! Most people still have vision to save when they are diagnosed with glaucoma. Glaucoma treatments have come a long way. With treatment, we lower the pressure in the eye until optic nerve damage stops. These treatments include eye drops, laser procedures and surgeries.

There is a wide range of options depending on your specific case. In an appointment with Rutzen Eye Specialists & Laser Center, the staff will talk in detail about each of these options and which will best meet your needs. If you have any concern about glaucoma, come in for a screening.

Dr. Sara “Franco” Francomacaro is an ophthalmologist who has particular expertise in glaucoma and cataract surgery. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Rutzen Eye Specialists & Laser Center at 410-975-0090. The office is located at 489 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park. Visit online at www.rutzeneye.com for more information.