In glaucoma, damage occurs to the eye’s optic nerve that supplies visual information to the brain. This damage can happen with or without elevated pressure inside the eye. If left untreated, vision will continue to decline, eventually resulting in blindness. Here, two patients and a doctor share their stories.

Runs in the Family

Research shows that people with family members who had open-angle glaucoma are as much as nine times more likely to develop glaucoma than the general population.

Glen Jones, a former artist and standup comedian, can attest to this, having lost most of his vision to the disease. His mother also had glaucoma, though it was never at the forefront of Jones’ mind until his doctor noted, “You know, we should probably be looking at you because your mom has glaucoma and you’re a direct descendant.”

As it turned out, it wasn’t only his mother who had glaucoma; her sister (Jones’ aunt), as well as some of his cousins, are currently dealing with the disease.

African-Americans and Other People of Color at High Risk

Although Caucasians, particularly Scandinavians and people of Viking descent, show the highest glaucoma rates, John Whitehead, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Seattle’s Evergreen Eye Center, says that African Americans and other people of color are at high risk, as well. Approximately 10% of Black people, and 6% to 7% of Latinos and Asian Americans, are at risk for glaucoma. 

‘Sneak Thief of Sight’

Unfortunately, most people are blind to glaucoma’s stealthy development. “We call glaucoma the sneak thief of sight,” said Whitehead, because the disease “steals your vision without you even knowing it.”

Controlling internal eye pressure is currently the only known modifiable risk factor for glaucoma. If not controlled early on, excess pressure can cause irreversible damage to the eye. Loss of peripheral vision often happens first. The thing is, Whitehead explained, the eye can compensate for this, and so “it’s an area you never notice.” Fortunately, ophthalmologists can detect it during eye examinations, and can usually stop the progression when they find it early.

Sight-Saving Surgery

Most treatments are relatively quick and easy. Eye drops are the most common first-line treatment, and there are a handful of therapies and minimally-invasive micro-surgeries to choose from when drops no longer work. One such surgery involves a seven-minute procedure to fix the eye’s drainage system, relieve pressure, and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.

Donald Eichelberger, a fiction writer and musician, had glaucoma and cataract surgery at the same time, which is Whitehead’s specialty. “After the surgery, that cataract was gone. I said, ‘Wow.’”

As for Jones, his glaucoma had progressed too far even for surgery to make a difference. Still, he keeps his sense of humor. “See, I can do the whole blind thing,” he joked, donning his dark glasses. He then turned serious, urging others to be aware of the dangers of glaucoma and to protect their eyes. “Don’t take them for granted,” he said.

*Home, D. (2022, March 2). African-Americans at high risk for glaucoma, others at risk, too. KIRO 7 News. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/african-americans-high-risk-glaucoma-others-risk-too/J7JRITV6BJDZ3N3WMCM2ZYAGKY/