Glaucoma: What is true and what is false?

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 28, 2023

Useful information on glaucoma: the following information will help you understand if you are at risk of developing the disease and how you can possibly reduce the consequences of glaucoma

Glaucoma is a hereditary disease

True – Although glaucoma appears to have a clear hereditary component, the genetic mode of transmission of the disease is not well known.

If someone in the family has glaucoma, a comprehensive eye examination should be carried out at least every two years to detect the presence of the disease in its early stages, when the best treatment results can be achieved.

A person can have glaucoma and not realise it

True – The early stages of open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, usually do not give any symptoms.

However, as the disease progresses, those with glaucoma may notice that their peripheral vision gets worse and worse.

People over 60 are more likely to get glaucoma

True – All people over 60 have an increased risk of getting glaucoma, but the disease can develop at any age, even in children.

Eye pain is often a symptom of glaucoma

False – Glaucoma sufferers generally do not experience any pain, except for the (less common) forms of angle-closure glaucoma (or acute glaucoma).

Glaucoma can be kept under control

True – Although glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be kept under control with eye drops or tablets, laser treatment or surgery.

Sometimes, combined treatment with surgery and medication may be necessary.

Glaucoma is caused by increased eye pressure

False – An increase in eye pressure indicates that there is an increased risk of developing glaucoma, but it does not mean that one has the disease.

A person only has glaucoma if the optic nerve is damaged.

If you have increased eye pressure, but no damage to the optic nerve, you do not have glaucoma.

Also ask your ophthalmologist for more information on this.

Vision lost due to glaucoma can be recovered

False – Vision loss due to glaucoma is permanent.

However, with early diagnosis and treatment, vision loss can be slowed or stopped, thus reducing the risk of blindness.

To know if you have glaucoma, simply measure your eye pressure

False – Measuring eye pressure by tonometry, although very important during a comprehensive eye examination, is not sufficient on its own to diagnose glaucoma.

Glaucoma is most often diagnosed during a fundus test, when the ophthalmologist can observe the inside of the eye and check for signs of the disease.

When suspicion arises, a visual field test is performed to obtain valuable additional information.

People at risk for glaucoma or those with established glaucoma should also have an OCT test of the optic nerve head

True – OCT examination of the optic nerve is a very precise, objective method for diagnosing glaucoma and for following the evolution of the disease.

People with glaucoma should have this test at least twice a year, while those at risk may only need to have it every one or two years at an ophthalmologist’s office.

It is important not to neglect the risk of glaucoma and to have regular eye examinations.

Eye Diseases: Glaucoma

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