Vision loss due to glaucoma has traditionally been described as loss of “peripheral vision”; that is, loss of vision at the outer edges. 4–7 Current educational Web sites for the general public illustrate the loss of vision in glaucoma as “tunnel vision” or as if one is “looking through a straw” (Figure 1).
A person with glaucoma will generally notice limited peripheral vision and will require additional light to see well. Other visual symptoms include blurry vision, glares, halos around lights, lack of peripheral vision, and difficulty differentiating contrast.
As glaucoma damages optic nerve fibers, small blind spots may begin to develop. These spots usually occur on the side or in the peripheral vision. Many people do not notice the blind spots until significant optic nerve damage has already happened. Blindness can result when the entire nerve is destroyed.
Glaucoma affects peripheral vision first—meaning a patient could have “perfect” 20/20 vision but still have glaucoma. For patients suffering from open angle glaucoma, peripheral vision is gradually lost, while central vision is usually spared. These people sometimes notice excessive fluid in their eyes.
People with glaucoma report that they have difficulty with glare, night driving, and low contrast situations. Cataracts also occur in the same age group as glaucoma, and cataracts can also affect vision in similar ways.
If you're diagnosed early and follow the advice of your doctor, particularly about using eye drops, the chances are that you'll never lose your licence due to glaucoma. But you must tell the DVLA about your glaucoma if you have glaucoma in both eyes, or if you're a commercial driver and you have glaucoma in one eye.
Many patients with glaucoma suffer from reduced contrast and difficulty adjusting between light and dark settings. Using sunglasses or transition lenses in bright conditions can sometimes help with these adjustments.
On an average, untreated Glaucoma takes around 10-15 years to advance from early damage to total blindness. With an IOP (Intraocular Pressure) of 21-25 mmHg it takes 15 yrs to progress, an IOP of 25-30 mmHg around seven years and pressure more than 30 mmHg takes three years.
Many people assume that 'using your eyes' can worsen your glaucoma. Reading, watching TV or using your phone or computer does not have any impact on your glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a serious, lifelong eye disease that can lead to vision loss if not controlled. But for most people, glaucoma does not have to lead to blindness. That is because glaucoma is controllable with modern treatment, and there are many choices to help keep glaucoma from further damaging your eyes.
Glaucoma can cause blindness if it is left untreated. And unfortunately approximately 10% of people with glaucoma who receive proper treatment still experience loss of vision.
A series of tests in a comprehensive eye exam can help diagnose glaucoma. During your exam, your optometrist may perform several tests to diagnose any problems. These tests check 5 glaucoma-related factors: The inner eye pressure (tonometry)
There are often no early symptoms, which is why 50% of people with glaucoma don't know they have the disease. There is no cure (yet) for glaucoma, but if it's caught early, you can preserve your vision and prevent vision loss. Taking action to preserve your vision health is key.
The only way to get a definitive diagnosis is to see a physician as soon as possible. “Glaucoma is a particularly troublesome condition because it often starts out symptom-free. People might notice decreased peripheral vision (i.e. loss of vision to the sides of their eyes), but otherwise, their eyesight may seem fine.
Certain features of eye anatomy, namely thinner corneas and optic nerve sensitivity, indicate an increased risk for developing glaucoma. Conditions such as retinal detachment, eye tumors, and eye inflammations may also trigger glaucoma.
High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.
stages: stage 0 (normal visual field), stage I (early), stage II (moderate), stage III (advanced), stage IV (severe), and stage V (end-stage).
Regular exercise may reduce eye pressure. Talk to your health care provider about an appropriate exercise program. Limit your caffeine. Drinking beverages with large amounts of caffeine may increase your eye pressure.
Untreated glaucoma can lead to the faster development of permanent vision loss or blindness. Treatments can slow down additional vision loss, but they can't restore lost vision. It's important to see an eye doctor right away if you have eye pain, severe headaches or vision problems.
Although there is currently no cure for glaucoma, prompt treatment can help slow or stop the progression of vision loss.
Sunglasses are essential for everyone. But if you have glaucoma, they have added benefits. Sunglasses can slow the progression of your symptoms, help you see more clearly, and ease discomfort from light sensitivity. Talk to your optometrist or ophthalmologist to choose the right sunglasses for you.
While treatment for glaucoma cannot restore vision if it has already been lost, it can preserve remaining sight. Typically, many forms of glaucoma are first treated with daily eye drops or a laser procedure.