Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. As the pressure inside the eye builds up, the optic nerve is affected, which leads to its slow degradation and ultimately, its death. There are no early symptoms, no pain or frequently, even discomfort, while the sufferer’s vision gradually declines. Glaucoma is a chronic disease and is not currently curable. It affects primarily people over 40, although even small children sometimes are affected as well. In San Diego County, about 50,000 people over the age of 40 are at risk.
Glaucoma impacts five million people in the U.S. alone and costs the U.S. government an estimated $2.9 billion annually, according to Prevent Blindness America. The worldwide number of sufferers is close to 67 million, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. In addition, an estimated two million Americans have an elevated intra-ocular pressure (IOP), which is a precursor to glaucoma, and most do not know it.
Because glaucoma does not present outward symptoms, its early diagnosis, monitoring and management are of paramount importance.
