$Unique_ID{BRK01414}
$Pretitle{Nervous System and Sense Organs}
$Title{How Does Glaucoma Affect Your Ability to See?}
$Subject{eyes vision glaucoma}
$Volume{F-21}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Does Glaucoma Affect Your Ability to See?


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QUESTION:  One of my lady friends has been suffering from an inability to see
very well, and when she finally took the advice of all her friends and went to
her doctor, she discovered she had glaucoma.  Now we are all up in air,
wondering whether this could be the same for some of us.  Could you please
tell us how this disease affects your ability to see?  Thank you.

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ANSWER:  Sadly, glaucoma is often called "the sneak thief of sight" because of
its insidious and irreversible damage to the vital tissue that produces
vision, the retina of the eye.  It is in the eyeball, however, where the
disease, if left untreated, makes its primary attack and then proceeds
steadily.  Think for a moment of your eyeball as being basketball-shaped.  The
eyeball's full, round shape is due to a delicate balance of the flow of fluid
to and from the jelly-like material inside of it.  For what ever the reason,
the balance of fluid is upset and glaucoma begins.  The fluid in the front of
the eyeball increases, putting pressure on the fluid at the back of the
eyeball, and this overload of rear fluid then presses against the retina.
(The retina's job is crucial:  it receives the light rays and transmits them
to the brain where they are interpreted into images.)  When the blood supply
that nourishes the retinal nerve cells and fibers is reduced (again, due to
the pressure of the fluid buildup), side vision (peripheral) gradually
deteriorates.  Eventually, glaucoma's pressure attacks the nerves that help
enable front or central vision, and all sight is gone.  The best defense
against glaucoma is an eye examination that specifically tests the pressure
within the eye, at least once every two years, especially after age 35.
     If caught early, the damage may be slight, and both medical and surgical
treatments exist which can arrest the progress of this disease.  However, you
and your friends are not to believe that all the vision problems they may be
experiencing are due to glaucoma as there are many other possible causes.  It
does however point out the need for expert examinations to determine the exact
source of visual problems.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
