How Often Should People be Tested for Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is dangerous because you may not be aware that you are losing your vision. By the time you notice a change in your eyesight, the glaucoma may be at a very advanced stage, and difficult to treat effectively. Unlike cataracts, in which the vision becomes blurred, the central vision is typically clear and unaffected until the late stages. This may be a major reason why approximately half of the individuals with glaucoma do not even know that they have it. Vision that is lost from glaucoma is for the most part permanent. Although treatment cannot restore the lost sight, successful treatment can prevent further vision loss. Early detection is therefore the key to preventing progressive loss of sight from this disease. Unfortunately, many people are not thoroughly examined for glaucoma until a significant amount of vision is already irreversibly lost. Besides being interviewed by your eye doctor to determine whether you may be at risk, the eye pressure should be measured. In additio
