Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition that can develop, causing damage to the optic nerve (in early stages) or even blindness if not treated. It is often the result of too much fluid pressure building up inside the eye. It tends to be inherited and may not show up until later in life.

If damage to the optic nerve from high eye pressure continues, glaucoma will cause loss of vision. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause total permanent blindness within a few years.

Why regular eye exams matter

Most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain from this increased pressure. That’s why it is important to see your ophthalmologist or optometrist regularly, so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before long-term visual loss occurs.

• If you are over the age of 45 and have a family history of glaucoma, you should have an eye exam every year.
• If you have health problems such as diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, or are at risk for other eye diseases, you may need to visit your eye doctor more frequently.