Symptoms and Signs of Glaucoma
Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and if left untreated, can cause blindness. To illustrate the extent of the disease, the Glaucoma Research Foundation reports that more than four million Americans have glaucoma but only half of them know about it. For those Americans who do have it, no cure yet exists.
Due to the numbers of people with glaucoma, it’s fortunate when an ophthalmology practice has a glaucoma eye doctor on staff. Katzen Eye Group in the Baltimore area is such a practice and is providing patients with the highest level of expertise in medical and surgical management of glaucoma.
Are you at Risk for Developing Glaucoma?
Knowing the risk factors for the disease and being screened for it will give you a head start on detecting and treating the disease. Doing so is important because any vision lost in glaucoma patients can not be regained. Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for developing glaucoma, but certain groups have a higher risk, including:
- African-Americans – glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common than in Caucasians
- Hispanic Americans in older age groups
- Eye injury patients
- All individuals who are over the age of 60
- Diabetics or those with high blood pressure
- Those with a family history of glaucoma
- Steroid users – recent evidence links glaucoma and high steroid use
- People with high myopia (severe near-sightedness)
Do You Have the Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma can progress slowly and those who present with the disease may already have severe vision loss. Consequently, your best defense is to have regular eye exams and a glaucoma screening test, especially if you fall into a high risk group.
Open angle glaucoma – the most common form of the disease, has no initial symptoms. It isn’t even evident until the optic nerve becomes damaged and peripheral (side) vision is lost through the slow build up of pressure in the eyes.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma happens more suddenly when blockage occurs in the normal flow of eye fluid between the iris and the lens. This type of glaucoma is a medical emergency and if not treated immediately, blindness could occur in one to two days. Acute closed-angle glaucoma symptoms include:
- Severe pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Seeing a rainbow halo around lights
Another type of glaucoma is called chronic closed-angle glaucoma. This type is similar to open-angle glaucoma, in that it progresses more slowly and can damage the optic nerve without prior symptoms.
To learn more about the various types of glaucoma and receive an early screening for the disease, please contact us today. The Katzen Eye Group, located in Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland, has glaucoma screening and appointment times available for you to discuss your eye history.
