Top Answers to Glaucoma FAQs

As a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the U.S. and world, glaucoma is a very common eye disease that causes damage to the optic and leads to vision loss. However, this common eye condition is treatable! At Spectrum Eye, we’re a team of optometry professionals who assist people from throughout San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz with glaucoma and other conditions. We offer a range of solutions to help preserve your vision and help you see the world more clearly. Continue reading to learn the answers to a few FAQs about glaucoma. 

Vision loss from glaucoma happens when the internal fluid in the eye creates too much pressure. This increased intraocular pressure (IOP) is commonly caused by insufficient drainage of fluid created by the eye. Once the fluid and pressure builds, it begins to press against the optic nerve, which causes damage to the nerve. Some people, however, may experience damage to their optic nerve even with normal IOP. 

Although the exact cause of glaucoma is unknown, there are multiple conditions that may lead to increased IOP. In many instances, a tumor, infection, or injury can cause fluid inside or around the eye to increase. Once this happens, the blood vessels and fibers in the optic nerve can be easily damaged by this pressure, which causes vision loss. If you suffer from glaucoma and you have normal eye pressure, there’s a high probability you have inadequate optic nerve blood flow. 

When it comes to the risk of developing glaucoma, Hispanics and African Americans are at higher risk than other populations. In fact, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for Hispanics and African Americans in the United States. Particularly, African Americans are three times as likely to be diagnosed with glaucoma compared to Caucasians and four times as likely to suffer blindness. 

Typically, glaucoma doesn’t have symptoms or signs until loss of vision occur. This is the reason it’s so critical to have eye exams on a regular basis. Your optometry professional at Spectrum Eye will be able to detect high IOP early and treat it well before it progresses to damage your optic nerve and cause vision loss. 

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