Glaucoma

Glaucoma increases eye pressure, damaging the optic nerve and leading to blindness if left untreated

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Each year, nearly 80,000 Americans lose their vision due to glaucoma, and another million are at risk because they have undiagnosed disease.

However, if glaucoma is identified and treated early, vision loss can often be prevented. The ophthalmologists at the Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology can help diagnose and treat glaucoma.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which pressure inside the eye rises to a level that damages the optic nerve — the nerve at the back of the eye that carries visual information to the brain — leading to vision loss.

What causes glaucoma?

Pressure increases when the eye’s natural drainage system becomes blocked. As a result:

• Fluid builds up inside the eye
• Pressure on the optic nerve increases (injury can also raise pressure)
• Optic nerve fibers become damaged
• Visual signals to the brain decrease, leading to vision loss

Who is at risk for glaucoma?

More than two million Americans have glaucoma. Risk increases with age, especially after 40. People who are nearsighted, have diabetes, or have a family history of glaucoma may also be at higher risk.

You may be at higher risk if you have one or more of the following:

• Elevated intraocular pressure
• Family history of glaucoma
• African American or Hispanic background ( open-angle glaucoma is more common in African Americans)
• Older age
• Diabetes
• Thin corneas

Early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of vision loss. Without treatment, peripheral (side) vision is often affected first, followed by central vision, which can eventually lead to blindness.

Regular eye exams, including glaucoma screening, are an important part of preventive care — especially for people over age 35, even if you have no symptoms.

At Henry Ford, patients come first

The Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology is committed to providing compassionate, personalized care using the most advanced treatments available. We are dedicated to vision research and remain at the forefront of innovation. As one of the largest ophthalmology practices in the United States, we treat more than 55,000 patients each year at 12 locations throughout southeast Michigan. Our team also collaborates across specialties to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary care.