HEALTHY REASONING: Glaucoma — The Vision Thief

By Allan Jones
Pride Health Columnist

Glaucoma is a complex eye disorder that is referred to as the silent thief of sight. You can be seeing everything perfect with no need for glasses, yet you have glaucoma. So many people walk around with glaucoma without knowing, because it is only in the latter stages, when you have lost significant side or peripheral vision, that you will realize there is something wrong with your ability to see.

The disease has been diagnosed in over 300,000 Canadians, however it is estimated that an equal number of Canadians have the disease but remain undiagnosed. Untreated glaucoma leads to blindness, and for every person in Canada blinded by glaucoma, six others have lost useful vision.

Glaucoma occurs in all ethnic groups. In the 40 year old group, the rate of glaucoma in most groups is 2 to 3 %, however in Blacks it is about 9%. The disease is also more aggressive in Blacks and harder to treat.

So how does glaucoma happen? It is a situation that occurs when there is a build-up of fluid pressure inside the eye, although there are situations where people with low pressures have glaucoma, and conversely, people with greatly elevated pressures may not have glaucoma.

If glaucoma is left untreated, the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain is damaged, leading to impaired vision and ultimately to blindness.

In most cases, there are no symptoms associated with glaucoma. You can have glaucoma and do not know.

Glaucoma runs in families, so anyone with a relative with the disease runs a higher than average risk of developing glaucoma. If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of having glaucoma. Other risk factors include, being Black, over age 50, short-sightedness, previous eye injury and steroid medication.

There are many different types of glaucoma. Chronic or open angle glaucoma is the most common and occurs in 80% of all cases. It progresses slowly and gradually and slowly without symptoms, and usually involves both eyes. Acute or angle closure glaucoma occurs when there is a blockage to the eye’s drainage channel. Here, pressure increase can occur rapidly. If left untreated, blindness can occur within days, and this type of glaucoma is regarded as an emergency.

Early detection and treatment of glaucoma is of extreme importance. Screening examinations can be done by an optometrist, ophthalmologist or family doctor, but the optometrist or ophthalmologist are the ones with the training and instruments to best diagnose glaucoma. If you are over 40 years of age, it is suggested that an annual visit be made to an optometrist or ophthalmologist to screen for glaucoma.

Most glaucoma patients have no symptoms, so without regular eye examinations, significant damage can occur before the patient even knows that they have the disease. Once glaucoma is detected treatment is given.

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease. There is no known cure, only measures to stop further loss of vision. Many glaucoma patients can still enjoy a full life due to the therapy prescribed by eye doctors. Once diagnosed, glaucoma requires lifelong treatment.

If you are over 40 years old, and never tested your eyes for glaucoma, talk to your family doctor and arrange to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist soon.

Remember, you can have glaucoma without knowing, and untreated glaucoma can lead to blindness.

Allan Jones is a Health Promoter and Broadcaster. He can be reached at ajones@jjmedical.ca.