Glaucoma is a mysterious eye disease that patients often confuse with cataracts. The ocular condition is a chronic, progressive disease that damages the optic nerve, the part of the eye that sends electric impulses from the retina to the brain.
The scary thing about glaucoma is most individuals are unaware they have it. Data shows the condition is underdiagnosed. There are no symptoms until the most severe stages and the vision loss is permanent.
The damage to the nerve is caused by abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP) in your eye. While glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60, vision loss can be prevented with annual eye exams and early diagnosis/treatment. If you have a family history of glaucoma, be sure to mention it to your eye doctor.
