Glaucoma is a condition that affects millions of people and their families worldwide. Because it often develops gradually and without obvious warning signs, it can feel like it appears out of nowhere, leaving many unsure about what causes it.
Glaucoma is sometimes hereditary, meaning if glaucoma runs in your family, your risk of developing it increases. But family history doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop this eye condition. Early awareness and proactive eye care are crucial for protecting your vision.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the connection between your eye and brain. Damage to the optic nerve often occurs due to elevated pressure inside the eye, but can happen even when eye pressure is normal. If left unmanaged, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.
Glaucoma Risk Factors
While anyone can develop glaucoma, certain factors can elevate your risk. Since it’s a hereditary condition, the more relatives you have with glaucoma, the greater your risk.
Other key risk factors include:
- Age
- High intraocular pressure (IOP)
- Diabetes
- Thin corneas
- High blood pressure
Does Glaucoma Have Early Warning Signs?
Glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight” because most types do not present obvious symptoms in the early stages, and often goes unnoticed until significant damage has occurred.
Here’s what to watch for as the condition progresses:
- Blurred or hazy vision
- Eye redness
- Pain
- Reduced peripheral (side) vision
- Light sensitivity or halos around lights
- Nausea
- Headaches
While vision loss from glaucoma cannot be restored, early detection can make a significant difference in preserving sight.
Routine eye exams are crucial for spotting early signs before they affect your daily life. If you experience sudden noticeable vision changes, contact our team at Northern Lights Optometry immediately.
Does Glaucoma Always Include High Eye Pressure?
Your eyes rely on a clear fluid called aqueous humor, which flows through them to nourish tissues and maintain proper balance. When the production and drainage of this fluid fall out of sync, pressure inside the eye can rise. Over time, this elevated eye pressure may damage the optic nerve, leading to irreversible vision loss. This process is what occurs in the most common form of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma.
But here’s the tricky part—not all types of glaucoma involve increased eye pressure. That’s why it can be so difficult to detect on your own, and why regular eye exams are essential for early diagnosis and protection of your vision.
Types of Glaucoma
Glaucoma comes in several different forms, some easier to recognize than others.
Open-Angle Glaucoma
The most common type, open-angle glaucoma, affects 90% of people with glaucoma. It occurs when the eye’s drainage channels do not function well over time or production of aqueous is too much for the drainage channels, causing a gradual increase in IOP. This slowly damages the optic nerve, often without any pain or discomfort, and can create blind spots in side vision before leading to severe vision loss.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma is less common and develops when the iris fully blocks the eye’s drainage angle. Since fluids aren’t allowed to leave the eye, IOP builds rapidly.
Unlike open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma often appears suddenly, with severe pain, sudden blurred vision, nausea, and headaches. It can cause irreversible vision loss if not addressed promptly, so any rapid vision changes should be considered an emergency.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Despite normal eye pressure levels, optic nerve damage can occur. Experts aren’t entirely sure why this type of glaucoma occurs, but there are some theories that it could be due to thinner corneas, family history, or poor optic nerve health, amongst other theories. Fortunately, we can often identify this risk factor during routine eye exams.
Congenital Glaucoma
Rare but alarming, congenital glaucoma affects infants due to improper fluid drainage in their eyes and is usually diagnosed between 3 and 6 months of age. Some signs include:
- Cloudy corneas
- Enlarged eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Redness
- Excessive tearing
If found and treated early, many children with congenital glaucoma can maintain useful vision and avoid severe loss.
Secondary Glaucoma
When looking for causes of glaucoma, the answer isn’t always straightforward. Anyone could develop it, and other medical conditions like eye injuries, diabetes, or iris problems can lead to secondary glaucoma.
Managing the underlying condition and beginning glaucoma treatments promptly helps maintain the health of your optic nerve.
Diagnosing Glaucoma
A comprehensive eye exam is often the only way to detect glaucoma. During your visit, we will perform tests like:
- Visual field test (if needed): A test that examines your side vision, one of the first things glaucoma affects.
- Dilated eye exam: Widens your pupils to examine the optic nerve for signs of glaucoma.
- Optos Monaco Retinal Camera:(if needed for detection): Provides ultra-widefield images of the retina, helping detect early signs of glaucoma.
- Zeiss Cirrus OCT: A high-resolution imaging tool that gives precise cross-sectional views of the retina and optic nerve tissue, essential for monitoring glaucoma progression.
If we conclude there are any abnormalities and need to pursue further testing, our team at Northern Lights Optometry can create a personalized treatment plan to monitor your condition.
Treating Glaucoma
While optic nerve damage is permanent once it has occurred, effective treatments can help to preserve your remaining eyesight. Your eye care routine may include one or more of the following options:
- Prescription eye drops or oral medication: Help regulate eye pressure.
- Laser treatments: Assist with fluid drainage.
- Surgical interventions: Create new ways to improve fluid outflow.
Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of glaucoma. It is always best to follow professional recommendations and attend regular follow-ups to help your eye health stay on track.
Protecting Your Sight Starts Today
A family history of glaucoma may increase your risk, but it doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. When diagnosed early, management of the condition is possible, helping to slow the progression, and regular eye exams are one of your best tools for early detection. At Northern Lights Optometry, we’re here to support your eye health every step of the way.
Book your comprehensive eye exam and take a moment to safeguard your vision today!
