Dr. Hummel - Vision Blog

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. And if your family has a history of glaucoma, you have a 6% chance of developing the disease as well.

Glaucoma begins with pressure build-up inside the eye. Drainage canals are clogged preventing fluid to drain from the eyes. The optic nerve can be damaged and vision begins to fade away slowly. If the condition goes untreated, blindness will result. Glaucoma has NO early symptoms and vision loss can occur before the disease is even diagnosed. Glaucoma is one reason all adults over the age of 40 should have an eye examination annually. Acute or late symptoms include the following:

• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Rainbows or halos around lights
• Severe eye pain
• Extreme sensitivity to light
• Excessive blinking and runny eye
• Crossed or out-turned eyes
• One eye becoming larger than the other
• Nausea, headache

Other Risk Factors for Glaucoma

Although anyone is susceptible to losing his or her eyesight from glaucoma, heredity plays a major role. But there are other common factors that elevate risk.

• High blood pressure
• Low blood pressure for people 60 and over
• Diabetes – doubles the risk

Age

• Risk rises significantly for people aged 40 and over
• 60 and over are 6-times more likely than others to develop glaucoma

Ethnic risk factors:

• African Americans 40 and over
• Hispanics 60 and over
• Asian & Eskimo descent have a higher risk of closed angle glaucoma
• Japanese Americans

Eye injuries & problems

• Dislocated lens
• Retinal detachment
• Eye tumor

• Steroid use

If your family has a history of glaucoma, please visit our website and contact Hummel Eye Associates in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for an eye exam and an intraocular pressure test. Let us find the best option for your best vision.