The 'silent thief of sight,' glaucoma, is under scrutiny, with 7 myths debunked.

In order to launch Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, specialists are clarifying some widespread misconceptions about the condition that the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) refers to as the "silent thief of sight."

Approximately three million Americans have glaucoma.

According to the CDC, only half of those who may have a potentially blinding disease are aware of it.

Glaucoma experts debunk common myths about the condition.

Myth No. 1: People can tell when they’re developing glaucoma

In the early stages of glaucoma, there are no symptoms, according to the AAO's statement to Planet Chronicle Digital.

The optic nerve damage caused by a set of eye conditions is the second leading cause of blindness globally, according to the CDC.

The optic nerve is composed of over a million minute nerve fibers, as per the AAO.

"An electric cable composed of numerous tiny wires is similar in nature."

Blind spots may not appear immediately when nerve fibers die, but symptoms often emerge later in the disease's progression.

Glaucoma results in the death of all nerve fibers, leading to permanent vision loss for the patient.

Myth No. 2: Young people can’t get glaucoma

Glaucoma can affect anyone, but its occurrence becomes more common as people age.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology stated that glaucoma is the primary reason for blindness among individuals aged 60 and above.

One in 10,000 infants are born with glaucoma, according to The Glaucoma Foundation's website.

Rewritten: Glaucoma can still develop even if there is no family history of the condition.

The Glaucoma Foundation recommends that if someone in the family has had glaucoma, all family members, including children, should undergo testing for the eye disease.

Approximately 90% of blindness due to glaucoma could be prevented with early detection, diagnosis and prompt treatment.

But people without a family history are still at risk for the disease.

Those who are age 40 or older, have had a previous eye injury, are farsighted or nearsighted, have used steroids long-term, or have diabetes, migraines, or high blood pressure are among the highest-risk groups, the AAO stated.

Myth No. 4: Ethnicity is not a risk factor

The CDC reports that African Americans are six times more likely to get glaucoma than Caucasian Americans and tend to develop the disease at a younger age.

Asian Americans are also at high risk for developing glaucoma.

Previously, it was believed that the condition was not as prevalent in Hispanics as it is now.

Myth No. 5: Glaucoma always means having increased pressure in the eye

Despite their differences, all forms of glaucoma share a common trait: harm to the optic nerve.

Rewritten sentence: Some of the causes of glaucoma include elevated eye pressure, family history, age, and certain medical conditions.

The AAO observed that the eye constantly produces aqueous humor, and as new aqueous flows in, the same amount should drain out.

The drainage angle in a healthy eye allows fluid to exit, maintaining stable pressure, according to the academy's statement.

"If the drainage angle is not functioning correctly, fluid accumulates."

According to The Glaucoma Foundation, when the pressure becomes too intense, the sensitive organ gives at its weakest point where the optic nerve leaves the eye.

Not all cases of glaucoma result in increased pressure due to fluid buildup.

The Glaucoma Foundation stated that vascular changes and impaired blood flow to the optic nerve are strongly linked to some forms of glaucoma.

Rewritten: Not everyone with high blood pressure will necessarily have elevated eye pressure.

Experts note that not all individuals with high blood pressure have elevated eye pressures, and conversely, some people with elevated eye pressures do not have high blood pressure.

Individuals with high eye pressure should be closely monitored to prevent the onset of glaucoma.

The AAO pointed out that individuals with high eye pressures may not exhibit any indications of eye harm.

The academy stated that these patients are classified as "glaucoma suspects" and possess a greater likelihood of eventually developing glaucoma.

The Glaucoma Foundation stated that managing blood pressure does not necessarily mean intraocular pressure is controlled.

Myth No. 7: If you have glaucoma, you will become blind

Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of glaucoma could prevent approximately 90% of blindness caused by this condition, according to The Glaucoma Foundation.

The condition can often be controlled with eyedrop medication.

According to Nishika Reddy, M.D., an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Moran Eye Center's Midvalley Health Center at The University of Utah, when using drops for glaucoma, they are typically intended to be long-term eye medications.

She assured me that although I wouldn't see any changes in my vision while using the drops, they were effective in preventing the disease from worsening.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.

It is crucial to inform your eye doctor about any medications you are currently taking, particularly steroids, asthma medications, or allergy medications, as these can impact eye pressure.

Advancements toward a cure

New research from the Schepens Eye Research Institute at Mass General Brigham suggests that restoring vision may be possible for individuals with glaucoma who have developed blindness.

A study in the journal PNAS revealed that researchers successfully turned blood stem cells into specialized eye cells in mice, which could survive and function in the retina after transplantation, according to a press release.

Our multidisciplinary team, led by senior author Petr Baranov, M.D., PhD, of Mass Eye and Ear and an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, discovered that the adult and diseased eye is not a suitable environment for transplant, and we found a way to nurture the host retina to support and direct donor cells to their proper location.

The number of people with glaucoma in the U.S. is expected to increase from 3.2 million to 4.2 million by 2030, according to the National Eye Institute.

Regular eye exams can help ophthalmologists detect the early stages of the disease and prevent vision loss, according to the AAO.

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