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Posted by: Georgia Eye Associates in Glaucoma

Glaucoma is incredibly common and one of the leading causes of vision loss but we find that many of our patients know very little about it.

Glaucoma causes internal pressure within the eye to build which causes damage to the optic nerve. It progresses slowly over time, causing permanent vision loss.

Many common myths and misconceptions still exist about glaucoma which is unfortunate because understanding glaucoma is one of the best ways to protect yourself against it. Here are five of the most common myths about glaucoma:

Glaucoma is inherited

Some forms of glaucoma are inherited but you can develop glaucoma even if there is no family history of it. And many people may have a family history of glaucoma that they are unaware of.

However, there are certain factors that will increase your risk of developing glaucoma, including family history, hypertension, and diabetes.

Glaucoma is curable

At this point, there is no cure for glaucoma and you can never regain the any lost vision.

Glaucoma has obvious symptoms

The truth is, glaucoma often has no symptoms in the earliest stages which is why it is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight.” So if you aren’t in the habit of having regular eye exams, your glaucoma can go undetected for a long time.

Glaucoma is only for elderly people

It’s true that glaucoma is more commonly found in adults over the age of 60 but anyone can develop glaucoma. Some babies are even born with glaucoma and individuals of all ages can be affected by it.

There’s no treatment for glaucoma

Another harmful myth many people believe is that there’s no real treatment for glaucoma so it doesn’t matter whether you receive a diagnosis or not. There’s no cure but there are treatments and many of these treatments can help prevent further vision loss.

Glaucoma can be treated with medication, eye drops, surgery, or some combination of all of these.Ultimately, early detection is your best bet for preserving your vision and managing the symptoms of your glaucoma. And a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to check for glaucoma.

For more information about glaucoma, schedule an appointment with one of our Buckhead, GA eye doctors today.