Glaucoma is often termed the “silent thief” of sight because half of the people affected by this group of eye diseases do not know they have it. Undetected, glaucoma can lead to vision loss and, eventually, blindness.
But vision loss can be slowed and even prevented if it is caught early, and treatment may be as simple as eye drops to relieve eye pressure. Get screened at least every two years, especially if you are over age 60, African American or Latino, or have a family history of glaucoma.
Screening tests are quick and painless. Eye drops dilate your eye so your doctor can see inside. The doctor examines the optic nerve for signs of damage from elevated eye pressure due to fluid buildup. A “puff” test checks eye pressure by measuring the eye’s resistance to air, while other tests check your peripheral vision and the thickness of your cornea, both also affected by elevated eye pressure.