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What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which the pressure inside the eye rises above normal. This excessive pressure can destroy both retinal cells and optic nerve fibers and blind the eye.
Glaucoma, it should be emphasized, is not infectious. It is not cancer. It is not a drying up of tear ducts or caused by overuse of your eyes. It is, however, a serious disease and one that deserves prompt medical attention.
Glaucoma has been called the "sneak thief of sight" because in its most prevalent form it is a disease that comes on gradually before the victim is aware anything is wrong. Even infants may have glaucoma, but adults are the most frequent victims, and the number affected climbs alarmingly after age 35. Recent evidence compiled by the National Eye Institute indicates that glaucoma is more prevalent, begins earlier in life, and progresses faster among Blacks than other ethnic groups. Glaucoma, according to national estimates, afflicts more than two million Americans. Many of these people do not realize that they may be facing blindness unless they act promptly to obtain treatment. One out of every seven blind persons today is blind from glaucoma.
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