As many as 4 million Americans are suffering from glaucoma — a disease caused by a build-up of fluid in the eye that puts pressure on the optic nerve, causing vision loss. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States! It is not preventable or curable, but the progress of the disease can be slowed with early detection.
People who are at risk for glaucoma:
- People over the age of 40
- People with a family history of glaucoma
- People who are very nearsighted
- Diabetics
- African Americans
Glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly over time. You may not notice any symptoms for several years! The first symptom you may notice is a slow loss of your peripheral vision — the ability to see things at the sides of your field of vision. Eventually, your whole field of vision may become blurry.
You should try to have your eyes checked yearly, for the best chance of protecting your vision! Realistically speaking, most people don’t go for a yearly check-up. I only go see the eye doctor once my glasses are too scratched to see through!
As you age, your risks for glaucoma increase. You should get a thorough eye examination at the age of 35 and again at the age of 40. After age 40, you should try to get your eyes checked every other year. After you turn 60, you should try to get your eyes checked yearly. If you have one of the high risk factors listed above, you should have your eyes tested at least every other year starting at age 35.
Your regular check-up may automatically include two basic glaucoma tests: tonometry and ophthalmoscopy. Tonometry is a test that measures the pressure inside your eye. Your doctor will give you eye drops, then use a special device to measure your eye’s pressure. Ophthalmoscopy examines the inside of your eye. The ophthalmoscope is a magnifying instrument with a light on the end. The eye doctor uses it to see inside your eye, especially the optic nerve. These two preliminary tests can tell your doctor whether or not more testing is needed.