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Watch Out for 'The Sneak Thief of Sight' Glaucoma can be treated, if detected early, Eye Care Council advisesJanuary 06, 2010
TOPEKA – Glaucoma – often called “the sneak thief of sight” because it usually strikes without pain or other symptoms – is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans – 91 percent – incorrectly believe glaucoma is preventable, according to the newest survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA).
Although glaucoma is not preventable, if diagnosed and treated early, doctors of optometry can help a patient control the disease. Medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss, according to Dr. Julie Toon, president of the Eye Care Council, a special vision health information resource created by the Kansas Optometric Association to better educate the public about vision and appropriate eye care.
Because vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, Dr. Toon said, early diagnosis and treatment is vital.
Approximately 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older have glaucoma, according to National Glaucoma Research; of these, as many as 120,000 are blind because of the disease. The number of Americans with glaucoma is predicted to increase to 3.3 million by the year 2020, as baby boomers age.
The best way to detect glaucoma is in its early stages by having regular, comprehensive eye exams. A comprehensive exam should include dilating the eyes, which allows a doctor to clearly see the retina, optic nerve and vessels in the back of the eye. The exam should also include a test to measure corneal thickness, eye pressure, and a visual field assessment to measure retinal function.
Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that occur when internal pressure in the eye increases enough to cause damage to the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. The AOA’s annual Eye-Q® survey, which identifies attitudes and behaviors of Americans regarding eye care and related issues, showed that a large number of consumers do not know what glaucoma is and how severe the effects of the disease can be. Ninety-five percent of respondents did not know that glaucoma damages the optic nerve, and only 21 percent of respondents were aware that glaucoma causes deterioration of peripheral or side vision.
There are two types of glaucoma. The most common type, primary open-angle glaucoma, develops gradually and painlessly, usually without symptoms. A more rare type, acute angle-closure glaucoma, occurs rapidly, and its symptoms may include blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, seeing colored rings around lights and pain or redness in the eyes.
“As glaucoma progresses, a person may notice their side vision gradually failing,” Dr. Toon said. “When glaucoma remains untreated, people may miss seeing objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. Without treatment, people with glaucoma will slowly lose their peripheral vision, making it seem as though they are looking through a tunnel.”
Anyone can develop glaucoma. However, some people are at higher risk than others. They include:
African-Americans over age 40
Anyone age 60 and older, especially Hispanics
Watch Out for 'The Sneak Thief of Sight' Glaucoma can be treated, if detected early, Eye Care Council advises
People with a family history of glaucoma
African-Americans and Hispanics are genetically more susceptible to glaucoma. Yet, 37 percent of African-Americans and Hispanics did not have their eyes dilated during their last eye exam, according to the American Eye-Q® survey. The AOA recommends eye exams every two years for adults under age 60 and every year thereafter. A doctor may recommend more frequent exams depending upon a patient’s medical or family history.
Treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops and medicines to lower pressure in the eyes. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be effective in reducing pressure.
To find an optometrist in your area, visit http://www.seetolearn.com/member-list.html#kansas
About the Eye Care Council:
The Eye Care Council is a special vision health information resource created to better educate the public about vision and appropriate eye care. Participating optometrists contribute time, money and professional advice to help people see more clearly, longer. For more information about protective eye care, please consult an Eye Care Council optometrist, call the Council at 1-800-960-EYES or visit the Council’s Web site at www.eyedr.org.
About the survey:
The third annual American Eye-Q® survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From May 17-19, 2008, using an online methodology, PSB interviewed 1,001 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of U.S. general population. (Margin of error at 95 percent confidence level.)
About the American Optometric Association (AOA):
The American Optometric Association represents approximately 36,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country, and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors. Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States.
American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.