Glaucoma

Perhaps the most common eye disease in the world, glaucoma is a progressive condition that affects over 80 million people worldwide. People over 60 are at six times greater risk of developing glaucoma than the younger population, says the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is characterized by damage to the optic nerve, resulting in unrelieved pressure inside the eye and fluid buildup. The cause is unknown but is probably genetic. Permanent impairment can range from loss of peripheral vision to severe vision loss. Individuals with glaucoma may experience increased frequency of headaches, blurred vision, halos around lights, difficulty seeing in dim lighting, and sometimes, a non-reactive pupil, pain, or even a swollen eye. However, the most common kind of glaucoma often has no apparent symptoms and no pain. When vision loss occurs, it usually happens slowly in the peripheral vision, so that people do not realize it is happening until the vision loss is quite advanced.

What can be done if glaucoma is diagnosed? Treatments commonly involve eye drops, beta blockers, oral medications, and/or surgery to relieve pressure. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness. While a cure is unknown, early diagnosis and treatment can save your eyesight to some extent.

What devices can help? Many people who lose their peripheral vision can benefit from a video magnifier. Because of the loss of peripheral vision, a large screen does not necessarily provide extra benefit. Often a small screen can be the most helpful. Therefore, handheld video magnifiers are often recommended.