Is a vision test on your “To Do List”? More than 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older have glaucoma (a group of eye diseases which produce increased pressure within the eye) and the best defense against the disease is an annual vision exam. People usually do not notice signs of glaucoma until they have already lost significant vision.

The elevated pressure in glaucoma is caused by a backup of fluid in the eye, which, over time, may damage the optic nerve. At first, people with glaucoma lose their side vision (peripheral vision). And, if the disease is not treated, vision loss may progress to total blindness. Once vision is lost, it cannot be restored. People with one or more of the following risk factors for glaucoma should have their eyes examined on a regular basis:

• Over the age of 45
• A family history of glaucoma
• Abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP)
• African descent
• Diabetes
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Regular, long-term steroid/cortisone use
• Previous eye injury

To test for glaucoma, your doctor will perform a series of quick and painless tests (eye pressure measurements, dilated eye exams, and sometimes visual field testing) to check for any changes in your eye or in your vision. Through early detection, glaucoma can often be controlled with medications, such as eye drops or pills. If glaucoma does not respond to medication, surgery may be recommended.