{"id":10125,"date":"2021-03-01T11:13:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T11:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=10125"},"modified":"2021-07-19T07:08:12","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T07:08:12","slug":"glaucoma-myths-and-facts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/glaucoma-guide\/glaucoma-myths-and-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"Glaucoma: Myths and Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you want the facts on the most common glaucoma myths?<\/b><\/h2>\n

More than three million Americans are living with glaucoma, 2.7 million are aged 40 and older.<\/p>\n

Glaucoma<\/a> is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss and, in some cases, blindness. While there is a lot of information out there, much of it is misleading.<\/p>\n

If you think you may have glaucoma visit your eye doctor for an eye exam.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

MYTH 1: Glaucoma is a single disease<\/b><\/h2>\n

FACT<\/b><\/h2>\n

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases. The most common ones are open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and angle-closure glaucoma (ACG).<\/p>\n

Open-angle glaucoma<\/a>: <\/b>the drainage structure in your eye – called the trabecular meshwork – is open but there is still resistance to the outflow of fluid.<\/p>\n

The resistance causes the fluid inside the eye not to drain correctly causing an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) that damages the optic nerve<\/b>.<\/p>\n

OAG develops slowly and without any obvious pain or symptoms. By the time people notice symptoms, such as peripheral vision loss, their optic nerve has already sustained damage.<\/p>\n

Angle-closure glaucoma<\/b><\/a>: the drainage flow is blocked so the eye can\u2019t drain fluid as it should.<\/p>\n

The most common cause of ACG is when the drainage channel between the iris and cornea becomes too narrow, causing an increase in eye pressure.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

This pressure damages the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. ACG can occur gradually or suddenly. Symptoms include eye pain, nausea and vomiting, a severe headache, and seeing halos around lights.<\/p>\n

MYTH 2: Glaucoma shows obvious symptoms<\/b><\/h2>\n

FACT<\/b><\/h2>\n

Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, shows virtually no symptoms or signs until its later stages when its too late and vision has already been lost.<\/b><\/p>\n

The increased eye pressure causes no pain, despite what people may think. Patients with glaucoma may not recognize vision loss until their vision has become significantly impaired, especially since peripheral vision is the first to go.<\/p>\n

The only way to detect glaucoma is to undergo a comprehensive eye exam.<\/p>\n

Contact an eye doctor<\/strong><\/a> near you that can conduct eye exams and can help detect glaucoma and discuss treatment options for you.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED:<\/strong> Glaucoma: \u2018The Silent Thief of Sight\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

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