What You Need to Know About Glaucoma

More than three million Americans have glaucoma, a disease that eventually causes blindness, but experts estimate that more than half of these individuals don’t know they have it.

Here's what you need to know:

1. There are no symptoms. People can lose up to 40% of their vision without realizing it since vision loss begins with peripheral (side) vision.
   
   
2. Once vision is lost, it's permanent.
   
   
3. High-risk groups include people over the age of 60, family members of those diagnosed with glaucoma and people who are severely nearsighted.
   
   
4. Medication and surgery can slow or prevent glaucoma when it’s detected early.
   
   

Because glaucoma can be prevented, it’s important to get regular, comprehensive eye exams, especially as you get older.