January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is a serious eye condition, but it isn’t widely understood. Called the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma is a group of diseases that raise eye pressure and slowly damage the optic nerve, causing permanent vision loss.

The challenge with glaucoma is that there aren’t any noticeable symptoms. Glaucoma doesn’t hurt, and there aren’t any telltale signs. But your vision is being damaged and lost, usually starting with peripheral vision loss. Once you lose vision to glaucoma, it is gone forever.

That’s why it is critical to raise awareness about glaucoma. The best defense against glaucoma is a good offense: Visit your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam. If caught early, glaucoma is treatable and vision loss can be minimized.

Glaucoma ranks as the second-leading cause of blindness worldwide. An estimated 3 million Americans have glaucoma – but 50% don’t even know they have it (yet). Sadly, people often lose vision to glaucoma before diagnosis, and they can’t get that vision back.

Let’s debunk 10 myths and misconceptions around this serious eye disease:

Myth 1: Glaucoma Is For Old People

Risk goes up with age, but glaucoma is not exclusively an older person’s disease. It can affect people from infancy — babies can be born with congenital glaucoma — to young adulthood. In adults, the most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma, which starts as early as age 40.

The key to eye health is regular eye exams. Don’t wait, especially if you have risk factors such as a family history of glaucoma or diabetes. Two notable higher-risk populations are African Americans over age 40 and Hispanics or Latinos over age 60.

Myth 2: Glaucoma Has Symptoms

It’s called the silent thief of sight for a reason: Glaucoma does not cause noticeable symptoms. It progresses silently. Most people do not notice any warning signs until they have lost a significant level of peripheral vision. By the time you notice, the damage is irreversible.

That’s why it’s so important to visit your optometrist regularly. We will examine your optic nerve and measure your eye pressure. When diagnosed early and controlled with medicine or treatments, we can help limit vision loss.

Myth 3: Vision Loss from Glaucoma Is Inevitable

It is not inevitable that you will lose vision with this disease. If untreated, glaucoma will lead to permanent vision loss, but if diagnosed early, treatment can slow down or even stop its progression. Treatments include eye drops, laser therapy, and procedures to minimize the disease’s impact.

Early detection is the key.

Myth 4: If I Don’t Have High Eye Pressure, I Don’t Have Glaucoma

Glaucoma can be complex. High eye pressure increases your risk of developing glaucoma, but it is not the only cause. Some people have normal eye pressure but develop “normal-tension glaucoma.” Yet, some patients with high eye pressure never develop glaucoma.

The strong connection between eye pressure and glaucoma is one reason regular eye exams are so essential to eye health. Your optometrist will help you evaluate risk factors to keep your vision as healthy as possible.

Myth 5: Glaucoma Is Preventable

You can’t prevent glaucoma, but you may be able to lower your risk for it. Leading a healthy lifestyle – regular exercise, a healthy weight, balanced diet, and quitting smoking – all support your overall health and eye health.

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, manage those conditions closely. Your eyes will thank you for it!

Myth 6: Only People with a Family History of Glaucoma Need to Worry

If your parent, aunt, uncle, or grandparent has or had glaucoma, it increases your risk level, but it is not the only factor. Even without a family history, age is a risk factor for glaucoma. Latinos and African Americans are at higher risk. If you have high intraocular (inside the eye) pressure, thin corneas, or diabetes, you are also at higher risk.

Myth 7: Glaucoma Is Rare

Glaucoma affects 80 million people globally – and that number is rising, making it far more common than most people realize. It is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Knowing your risk can help minimize the impact of this widespread disease.

Myth 8: Diet Does Not Impact Glaucoma

You are what you eat! Glaucoma patients can help keep their eye pressure in check and the optic nerve healthy by avoiding certain foods, including:

• Avoid Caffeine. It raises intraocular pressure.
• Minimize Saturated Fats. Fatty meats, beef, cheese, and milk can cause weight gain, which increases eye pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Avoid Trans Fats. Fried foods and heavily processed foods like potato chips, French fries, and frozen foods can raise cholesterol and harm blood vessels.
• Salt Only in Moderation. It can raise blood pressure, which can raise eye pressure.

Myth 9: I Can Do Any Activity I Want Despite Having Glaucoma

People with glaucoma should exercise, but go easy. Heavy exercise raises your heart rate and also raises eye pressure. A brisk walk is your best bet. Be careful when weightlifting, which can increase eye pressure if you don’t breathe correctly during the process.

Yoga poses that put your head below your heart are not ideal, because they can raise eye pressure. Avoid hanging by gravity boots or using inversion tables. Don’t scuba dive or bungee jump if you have glaucoma, as both can raise eye pressure.

Myth 10: There’s Nothing I Can Do About Glaucoma

Yes, there is: Contact us today to schedule your annual eye exam. By far, the most important thing you can do to protect your vision is to visit your optometrist and discuss your risk factors and lifestyle.

Glaucoma is a complex condition, but with the right care from your optometrist, it can be managed. Remember: Early detection is your strongest ally in the fight against glaucoma.