Get Eye To Eye - The Glaucoma Foundation - Glaucomafoundation

Because vision loss due to glaucoma can't be recovered, it's important to have regular eye exams that include measurements of your eye pressure so a diagnosis can be made in its early stages and treated appropriately. If glaucoma is recognized early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented.

Blindness does occur from glaucoma but it is a relatively rare occurrence. There are around 120,000 cases of blindness in the United States and 2.3 million cases of glaucoma. This represents about 5% of glaucoma patients. However, sight impairment is more common and occurs in around 10% of patients.

One eye may have moderate or advanced glaucomatous damage, while the other eye has very little or none. This variation in the extent of the damage can cause confusion, and the mistaken perception that only one eye is involved. In time, most patients will develop glaucoma in both eyes.

Myth #2: Glaucoma only affects one eyeGlaucoma usually occurs in both eyes, but pressure often increases in one eye first. This raised pressure may damage the optic nerve, resulting in gradual vision changes.

Fortunately for most patients the answer is no. Blindness does occur from glaucoma but it is a relatively rare occurrence. There are around 120,000 cases of blindness in the United States and 2.3 million cases of glaucoma. This represents about 5% of glaucoma patients.

Glaucoma Timeline Even with treatment, about 15 percent of the time glaucoma can lead to blindness in at least one eye over a period of 20 years. Fortunately, glaucoma typically progresses very slowly, over years.

Some evidence suggests that a high intake of vitamin B through dietary sources, including green leafy vegetables, may reduce the risk of some types of glaucoma. But B complex supplements, including folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, don't appear to offer the same benefit.

Glaucoma is treated by lowering your eye pressure (intraocular pressure). Depending on your situation, your options may include prescription eyedrops, oral medications, laser treatment, surgery or a combination of any of these.