There's a growing health concern for today's baby boomers. As they age, more are at risk for a potentially blinding disease called glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the second-most common cause of blindness, but nearly half the people are unaware they have the disease. That's especially troubling because more and more baby boomers are at risk.
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve. It interrupts the transfer of information from the eye to the brain. Patients may first lose peripheral vision, but glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness. Eye care specialists with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics say for most people, there are no early warning signs.
"I think the silent nature of glaucoma is something that people need to be aware of - that they don't know have or don't have glaucoma. There's no pain. There are no visual symptoms until very late in the disease," says Wallace Alward, M.D., UI ophthalmologist.
People over the age of 40 and African-Americans have a greater chance of getting glaucoma. The good news is, the disease is treatable, usually with special eye drops or surgery.
"If someone has glaucoma the chance of maintaining good vision throughout their life is excellent, as long as the disease is diagnosed and treated appropriately."
Researchers with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics hope to one day develop treatment options for glaucoma - including finding a way to actually heal the optic nerve. For now, your best defense against glaucoma is a thorough eye exam that includes looking at the optic nerve.
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