One of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, yet many people have never heard of it until it touches their lives. Here's what everyone should know.
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, often due to fluid buildup raising pressure inside the eye. Here's how it works.
Glaucoma slowly steals peripheral vision, often unnoticed until significant damage has occurred
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, the bundle of fibers carrying visual signals from your eye to your brain. It's most often caused by abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP), though it can occur even at normal pressure.
Once the optic nerve is damaged, that vision is lost permanently.
Glaucoma earns its nickname because it develops slowly and without symptoms. No pain, no blurriness, no obvious warning in early stages.
By the time most people notice vision changes, usually peripheral (side) vision loss, significant nerve damage has already occurred and cannot be reversed.
Most types of glaucoma have no early symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
Because glaucoma is silent, comprehensive dilated eye exams are essential. Doctors test for it by measuring eye pressure, inspecting the optic nerve, checking peripheral vision, and measuring corneal thickness.
While there's no cure yet, treatment can slow or halt progression effectively. Options include:
Lifelong monitoring and consistent treatment are key to protecting remaining vision.
Every dollar raised through Rock for Vision goes to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, funding the scientific breakthroughs and community support that could one day make glaucoma curable. My grandfather's strength inspires this work. Your support keeps it going.