Keep an Eye Out for Glaucoma
Professor David J. Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service 12-16-02
Over two million Americans, age 40-plus, are affected by "open-angle" glaucoma. "Open-angle is the most common type of glaucoma and one of the nation's leading causes of vision loss. Immediate treatment of early stage, open-angle glaucoma may slow the disease progression, says Dr. Paul Sieving, National Eye Institute (NEI) which co-sponsored a new study on glaucoma in collaboration with the University of Lund, Sweden and Stony Brook University, New York. The study findings suggest that treatment to lower pressure inside the eye can slow glaucoma damage, reducing vision loss. Are you a high-risk candidate? Do you know the symptoms? What help is available? Read on and learn more about early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is damaged. In most cases, increased pressure in the eye is a risk factor for this damage. The damage to the optic nerve causes loss of peripheral (side) vision, although people are often unaware that they have glaucoma. As the disease worsens, the field of vision gradually narrows and blindness can result. Because glaucoma has no early warning signs, many may be unaware they have the disease until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Once the advanced stage is achieved, vision that is lost cannot be regained. However, early detection based on a comprehensive eye exam can ususally control glaucoma and prevent serious vision loss.
The NEI study, called the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial, followed 255 patients, aged 50-80 years, with early stage glaucoma in at least one eye. The average age of the patients at the beginning of the study was 68 years. One group of 129 patients served as the "treatment group", receiving medicines and laser treatments in an effort to lower eye pressure. Another group of 126 patients served as the study's "control group". Control groups receive no treatment in order to compare trial results with the "treatment group."
After six years of followup, scientists found that progression was less frequent in the "treatment group" than in the "control group". In the treated group, eye pressure was lowered by an average of 25 percent. Although the study results confirm the belief that reducing eye pressure is beneficial, "they do not prove that elevated eye pressure in itself is the primary cause of glaucoma," said Dr. Cristina Leske, a study co-author. As a case in point, the treatment used in the study was not sufficient to halt the progression of disease in those with rapidly progressing glaucoma. As a result, researchers recommend that doctors consider several treatment options depending on the unique needs of each patient.
Treatment options for glaucoma were the subject of an earlier study conducted by the Glaucoma Institute at the State University of New York. That 1998 study focused on a, then new, glaucoma screening test that takes less than a minute to administer called the FDT (Frequency Doubling Technology), a visual fields test. Since glaucoma gradually destroys side vision and narrows a person's field of view, visual fields tests represent another diagnostic option in addition to the "air puff" pressure measuring tests. FDT uses a laser to scan eye tissue in order to zero in on one type of cell in the retina that may be the first to be affected by glaucoma.
Glaucoma is found most often during an eye examination through dilated pupils, which means drops are put into the eyes to enlarge the pupils. The eye care professional then can see more of the inside of the eye to check for signs of glaucoma. Medicare now covers an annual dilated eye examination for all people at high risk for glaucoma. This important new preventive benefit will safeguard the vision of millions of Americans enrolled in the Medicare program. This new coverage, effective January 1, 2002,
Since glaucoma can destroy one's vision, you need to know if you're in a high-risk category. Those at high-risk include the following.
- family history of glaucoma
- extremely nearsighted
- those with diabetes
- African-American or Caribbean descendents
Needless to say, if you are in a high-risk category, you should have the foresight to schedule an eye exam right away. Learn more about eye care and treatment options at the American Academy of Ophthalmology on the web at: www.aao.org
Image credit: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. On the Internet at: www.nei.nih.gov
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
Glaucoma Detection Exam Benefits At-Risk Elders
Glaucoma Surgery Varies Based on Race
New Sixty Second Glaucoma Screening Test
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
BACK TO TOP
AgeVenture News Service, 19432 Preserve Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33498 USA
Dr. David J. Demko, Editor-in-Chief
E-mail:
newsdesk@demko.com
