Glaucoma and Genetics

So, Your Relative Has Glaucoma
What Does That Mean For You?

Risk Factors For Glaucoma

Are you over the age of 59?
Are you African-American, Hispanic or Asian over age 40?
Do you have a family member with glaucoma?
Do you use oral steroids such as Prednisone?
Have you ever had an eye injury?
Are you nearsighted?
Do you suffer from diabetes or hypertension?
Do you suffer from erectile dysfunction?

If you answer YES to any of the questions above, then you are at high risk. Remember, vision lost from the disease cannot be restored. If you are at high risk, undergo a glaucoma screening immediately.

What is Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common disease of the eye which results from the dysfunction in the eye’s drainage system that leads to irreversible blindness. Clogging of this drainage system eventually results in an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) which damages the eye’s delicate structures, especially the nerve responsible for vision (optic nerve).

Glaucoma Is Hereditary

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It Might Be In Your Genes

The most common type of glaucoma – Open-angle type glaucoma, is hereditary. Glaucoma is 4 to 9 times more likely if you have an immediate family member who has suffered from the disease. Although glaucoma is commonly documented in the elderly, genetics is the main culprit behind the early development of glaucoma seen in most African American, Hispanics and Asian young adults.

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You May Be At Risk

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. It affects nearly 60 Million people worldwide. Unfortunately, glaucoma is a silent disease. There are no symptoms until it’s too late. When the damage is done, it’s permanent.

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You Can Protect Your Vision. Get Tested.

To date there is no cure for glaucoma. The best any treatment can do is to halt (or slow) the progression of this disease. So it’s absolutely critical that we treat Glaucoma before the vision has been lost.

Early Detection and Proper Treatment Can Potentially Save Your Vision

Primary open-angle glaucoma cannot be prevented. It is not curable and vision lost, as a result of optic nerve damaged, cannot be regained. By the time you notice something is wrong with your vision, the disease is already quite advanced and blindness is no longer impossible. The only way to protect yourself from this disease is to get screened for glaucoma. The earlier it gets detected the lesser the complications and treatment expenses.

Glaucoma Testing Doesn’t Hurt

Your first visit may include thorough examinations of your optic nerve and visual field using state-of-the-art technology. Both exams are simple and painless, and only take a short time to perform. Absolutely no poking, cutting or painful, burning drops! Allow up to two hours for your visit. Dr. Richardson takes pride in the thoroughness of his exams and will take the time to answer your questions.