Damage to the optic nerve of the eye is known as "Glaucoma" and this eye disease serves as the leading cause of blindness in the United States today. What causes this condition? Usually increased pressure in the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP).

Ok - let's take a step back and explain this life-changing disease in full.

Basically, our eyes contain a certain amount of fluid. When and if this fluid pressure rises, it causes pressure on to the eye's optic nerve - damaging it, which is responsible for sending visual messages from the eyes to the brain. The pressure is known as intraocular pressure (IOP).

The scariest part of the disease is that it rarely carries symptoms to start with and will only be discovered through a comprehensive eye exam. Therefore, today, experts recommend that certain risk groups should have their eyes thoroughly checked out very two years, in order to catch this disease early and thereby avoid vision loss. Those groups include African Americans over age 40; people over age 60, especially Mexican Americans; and people with a family history of glaucoma.

How is glaucoma tested? The doctor looks right inside the eye, through the pupil. There are numerous glaucoma tests, namely: Gonioscopy (use of a special lens to see the outflow channels of the angle); Tonometry (test to measure eye pressure); Optic nerve imaging (photographs of the inside of the eye); Pupillary reflex response; Retinal examination; Slit lamp examination; Visual acuity; Visual field measurement. Your doctor will explain them to you in detail.

If caught early, treatment of glaucoma can be very effective; the main goal, however, is to reduce the eye pressure. The type of glaucoma you have will invariably decide on whether you will be treated with medication or surgery. All in all, there are four major types, namely: angle-closure (acute) glaucoma; congenital glaucoma; secondary glaucoma; and open-angle (chronic) glaucoma.

Angle-closure (acute) glaucoma is an emergency! Usually it is very sudden and if not treated quickly, people become blind within a few days. Symptoms can be anything from sudden, severe pain in one eye, decreased or cloudy vision, nausea and vomiting, rainbow-like halos around lights, red eye, swollen eyes. Treatment involves drops, pills, and medicine given through by IV. In worse cases, people may need an emergency operation, known as an iridotomy. The only way to save your vision with this version of glaucoma is quick diagnosis and treatment. You will then need regular follow-up with your doctor.

Congenital glaucoma is hereditary and usually people are born with it and you will usually notice this when your child is just a few months old. Signs to watch out for include cloudiness of the front of the eye, enlargement of one eye or both eyes, red eye, sensitivity to light and tearing. In almost all cases, this is treated with surgery while the patient is under general anesthetic. If diagnosed and treated early on, patients will usually have no future problems and will only need check-ups every so often.

Secondary glaucoma is caused by drugs such as corticosteroids, eye diseases and systemic diseases. While, open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease and is described as a gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision (also called tunnel vision). It is usually treated very successfully with eye drops but some patients may also be give pills, while others may need some form of laser treatment. Although the condition cannot be fully cured, it can be managed so as to prevent vision loss. What's important is constant follow-up with your doctor and ensure optimal eyesight with annual eye tests to check that your eyeglasses prescription is up to date so that you're wearing the correct prescription eyeglasses.

In short, glaucoma, in general, is an eye disease that can affect anyone - whether they've never worn glasses before or if they have been wearing multifocal glasses for years. The basic information to know is that should you have any sudden loss of vision or severe pain, get to an eye doctor immediately; as in this case, speed really is what can save your sight.

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