Glaucoma — a leading cause of vision loss, second only to cataracts — affects 4.22 million Americans. Glaucoma happens when the pressure in your eyes is too high and damages your optic nerve. Without your optic nerve functioning, you can compromise your vision.
And the tricky part? It often has no early warning signs.
Because glaucoma can steal your sight (and doesn’t come with many warning signs), it begs the question: can glaucoma be prevented?
There’s no guaranteed way to prevent glaucoma entirely, but you can take steps to protect your vision and lower your risk.
Below, Nicanor Lacsina, OD, and Yelena Pinkhasova, OD, explain what glaucoma is, what you can do to reduce your risk, and how the Bainbridge Eye Care team can help manage the condition if you develop it.
Glaucoma isn’t a single condition. It’s a group of eye disorders that damage your optic nerve — the structure in your eyes responsible for sending visual information from your eyes to your brain.
The three main types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and normal-tension glaucoma. There’s a less common type called congenital glaucoma — a type of glaucoma that children are either born with or develop during childhood.
Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss or even blindness. Because of its gradual progression and lack of early warning signs, glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight,” which is why prevention is a hot topic when it comes to glaucoma.
Before you can create your prevention strategies, you initially should assess your specific risk factors.
Some people are more likely to develop glaucoma than others. You’re at higher risk if you:
Dr. Lacsina or Dr. Pinkhasova can review your risk factors during your comprehensive eye exam.
Not always. Many of these risk factors are out of your control — this is why it’s not possible to prevent glaucoma with 100% certainty.
You can reduce your risk of developing the condition by:
Eye injuries can increase your risk of glaucoma. If you play sports, work with tools, or do any activity that could put your eyes at risk, wear protective eyewear. Safety glasses and goggles can go a long way in preserving your vision.
Certain health conditions, like diabetes, can increase your risk of eye problems. Adults with diabetes are two times more likely to develop diabetes.
You can reduce your risk of developing glaucoma by keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol in check. Eat a healthy diet rich in leafy greens and omega-3s, stay active, and don’t smoke — all these habits can support your eye health as well as your overall health.
Dr. Lacsina or Dr. Pinkhasova can check your eye pressure during your exam. While this doesn’t prevent glaucoma, it does allow our team to catch the earliest signs of glaucoma. Lowering the pressure in your eyes as quickly as possible can help prevent damage to your optic nerve.
While you might not be able to prevent glaucoma, it’s essential to know that treatments exist and can stop the condition from worsening.
If you already have high eye pressure (ocular hypertension) or early-stage glaucoma, following your treatment plan can help prevent the condition from progressing. Use eye drops as prescribed and maintain follow-up appointments.
Do you need an eye exam or have questions about glaucoma? Schedule a visit with us today; we’re here to help you see clearly for years to come.
If you’re concerned about cataracts (or already suspect that you have one), call us at 718-306-9127. Or click here to request your next exam.
