How to Know If You Have a Higher Risk of Glaucoma

Did you know that glaucoma is the 3rd leading cause of blindness worldwide? However, blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment. The most common type of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, affects more than 2 million individuals in the United States. Glaucoma is serious, and your best medicine is to ensure your eyes are examined regularly by a competent optometrist or ophthalmologist. 

What is Glaucoma? 

Glaucoma is an eye disease resulting from damage to the optic nerve, leading to progressive loss of vision and ultimately blindness. Glaucoma typically occurs when fluid circulation in the eye is compromised, thereby increasing the pressure inside your eye. This increased pressure causes local stress that damages the optic nerve, which sends a signal to the brain determining the quality of your vision. Glaucoma comes in two major forms: Open-angle Glaucoma and Closed-angle Glaucoma. With closed-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma, the iris is very close to the draining angle in your eye and can physically block the necessary drainage of fluid leading to an increase in eye pressure. This may occur intermittently or suddenly and often is associated with significant eye pain, redness, and decreased vision. On the other hand, primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma, happens gradually when the eye does not circulate fluid properly despite an apparent open angle between the iris and cornea. Most people with open-angle glaucoma do not have any symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Therefore, screening is vital to identifying these cases. Your eye doctor will use a special lens to directly visualize the angle structures. This is called gonioscopy.  

Do You Have a Higher Risk of Glaucoma? 

There are several factors that indicate a higher risk of glaucoma than normal, and if you have more than one of these factors in play, your risk of glaucoma is compounded. Glaucoma risk increases with age alone. Anyone over age 40 should have a complete eye exam with glaucoma screening. Those age 70 and over have 3.5 times higher risk than those age 40, so one should take preventative care very seriously. Additionally, your genetic background directly affects your risk. If you have a first degree relative with glaucoma, you are more likely to develop glaucoma. Certain ethnicities such as African American, Hispanic, or Asian also face a higher risk than normal. 

Glaucoma risk is also affected by structural aspects out of your control. If you have myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness), have thin corneas, or have congenital irregularities of the optic nerve, your risk is increased. Those who have had a major eye injury, have high eye pressure, and those who take common medications such as steroids, anti-depressants, and migraine prophylaxis also face increased risk. 

Lastly, if you face certain health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, migraines, or lung disease, you should seek care from an ophthalmologist to screen for glaucoma development or progression. 

Keeping Your Vision Clear and Healthy 

Catching the warning signs of glaucoma and proper diagnosis are key to avoiding vision loss that results from untreated glaucoma. A highly trained medical doctor specializing in diseases of the eye – an ophthalmologist – can help you avoid this debilitating damage through routine eye exams and screening tests. Many ophthalmologists receive additional training through a glaucoma fellowship, specializing only in diagnosing and treating glaucoma. The management of your glaucoma will often be a coordinated care effort. 

Screening tests include measuring the eye pressure, checking the field of vision, taking pictures and measurements of the optic nerve, and direct visual microscopic examination of the structures of the eye. Don’t worry about the anxiety-provoking “puff of air” anymore. We now have better and less traumatic ways of taking these measurements. 

Glaucoma is treated by lowering the pressure in your eye or targeting other underlying factors. The most common way to treat this disease is with medication eye drops. There are various types of lasers that can address the different types of glaucoma. And lastly, there are surgical procedures to help with the physical filtration of the fluid inside the eye. Since this is a hot area of research in eye care, we are constantly developing new ways of treating glaucoma. Some of the latest treatments include injectables or reservoirs that deliver medication slowly over time, thereby ensuring treatment and increasing patient tolerability. 

Visual damage caused by glaucoma can’t be reversed; however, treatment and regular check-ups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially as you catch the disease in the early stages. As you are blessed to celebrate another birthday, let us in the eye care community help you to enjoy what you see and thrive in the joys of life. We strongly encourage you to seek routine care and the advice of eye care specialists. Stay healthy for those you love and be proactive about your vision. 

More About Justin Wilkin, M.D. 

Dr. Wilkin is a comprehensive ophthalmologist with the Marietta Eye Clinic. He specializes in refractive cataract surgery. A large portion of his practice involves glaucoma management. He offers many treatment options including medical management, laser therapy, and surgical intervention for these patients. He serves the Kennestone, Canton, and Towne Lake offices. Dr. Wilkin graduated magna cum laude from the Georgia Institute of Technology with his undergraduate degree in applied biology and microbiology. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He is a member of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. He is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Read his full bio here. 

References and Additional Resources 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. It describes itself as a “global community of 32,000 medical doctors who protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public.” Its website is a great resource to learn more about how to care for your eyes. 

The American Optometric Association (AOA) describes itself as the leading authority on quality care and an advocate for our nation’s health, representing more than 44,000 Doctors of Optometry, optometric professionals, and optometry students. 

What is Glaucoma? 

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma 

Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma? 

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/glaucoma-risk 

Glaucoma 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372846 

Prevalence of Open-Angle Glaucoma Among Adults in the United States 

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/416231 

US Eye Disease Statistics 

https://www.aao.org/eye-disease-statistics