Glaucoma Service
The fluid found in everyone's eyes nouishes and keeps the eyes healthy. In most cases, the fluid harmlessly empties through a drain in the front of the eye. In persons with glaucoma, however, the drain is blocked and the fluid builds up and causes increased pressure in the eye. This pressure can destroy the optic nerve and cause vision loss.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States but early treatment often can prevent vision loss. Unfortunately, most people do not have any symptoms of glaucoma until significant damage to the eye already has occurred.
Risk factors for glaucoma include:
- family history
- persons of African-American and Hispanic descent
- eye trauma or injury
- being markedly near-sighted or far-sighted
- steroid use
- advancing age
It is recommended that all people over the age of 40 be screened for glaucoma every two years by an eye care professional, regardless of their risk factors.