Diseases / Glaucoma

How Serious Is Glaucoma?

In the U.S., glaucoma is estimated to affect 3 million people, with 120,000 becoming blind due to the condition.

Elsewhere in the world treatment is less available, and glaucoma ranks as one of the leading causes of blindness. Even if people with glaucoma do not become blind, vision can be severely impaired.
There are two major types of glaucoma, chronic open-angle glaucoma and acute closed-angle glaucoma. Chronic glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight, because the afflicted person has no warning sign, no hint that anything is wrong. Over years or decades, increased pressure within the eye compresses nerves at the back of the eyes. Glaucoma gradually destroys first the outer fibers of the optic nerve, which reduces peripheral vision -- the top, sides, and bottom areas of vision -- but not central vision.
By the time a person notices that peripheral vision has been lost, permanent damage has already occurred. If the eye pressure remains high, the destruction can progress until tunnel vision develops, and the person is only able to see objects that are straight ahead. The last nerve fibers destroyed are those responsible for central vision; if this occurs, the glaucoma victim becomes totally blind.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency; if the high pressure is not reduced within hours, it can permanently damage vision. Anyone who experiences its symptoms should immediately contact an ophthalmologist or go to a hospital emergency room.