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         Study: Family Doctors Can Help Prevent Blindness from Glaucoma

   by Carol Pearson

   [1]Glaucoma is one of the world's leading causes of irreversible
   blindness.

   Often undetected until it reaches an advanced stage, Glaucoma-induced
   blindness first robs you of your side vision, which is part of the
   reason it can go unnoticed for such long periods of time.

   According to [2]The World Health Organization, although 70 million
   people worldwide suffer from glaucoma, it is treatable if detected
   early, which means that those suffering from the disease can preserve
   their vision.

   Glaucoma is actually an umbrella term for a group of diseases that
   affect the optic nerve, causing progressive damage. There are [3]two
   main types: wide (open angle) and closed (narrow angle).

   While these names are used to describe the eye's anatomy, the results
   are the same. Both cause too much fluid to collect within the eye. If
   left untreated, the eye is eventually unable to carry visual
   information to the brain.

   Researchers are looking for better ways to detect, treat and prevent
   vision loss in people with glaucoma. University Of California
   Ophthalmologist Dr. Robert Weinreb led a study that reviewed medical
   literature on detecting and treating the disease.

   The San Diego-based researcher describes the eye as a sink that "has a
   faucet and ... a drain." In open angle, he says, the drain is blocked
   internally; in closed angle, the drain is covered up and blocked on the
   outside.

   Glaucoma affects certain racial and ethnic groups, and Weinreb's
   research indicates that people of Latin American descent are more
   likely to develop open angle glaucoma, as are those of black African
   descent. People of Asian descent are more at risk for narrow or closed
   angle glaucoma.

   Other risk factors include age, high blood pressure and family history,
   but people without these factors can also develop the disease.

   Treatment can include eye drops, pills or surgery. Until more
   comprehensive clinical techniques are developed, the goal of treatment
   is to preserve the patient's vision.

   After reviewing medical literature, Weinreb concluded that "primary
   care providers could have a major role in detecting, recognizing and
   referring patients who are at the highest risk for developing
   glaucoma."

   For example, primary care physicians can ask about a patient's family
   history of glaucoma, along with checking their patients' optic nerves
   to see if referral to an eye specialist is needed.

   And while treatment is available, Weinreb recommends a yearly eye exam.
   His study was published in the Journal of the American Medical
   Association.
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   [4]http://www.voanews.com/content/ama-study-glaucom-primary-physicians-
   blindness/2413807.html

References

   1. https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp
   2. http://www.who.int/blindness/publications/glaucoma/en/
   3. http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1869212
   4. http://www.voanews.com/content/ama-study-glaucom-primary-physicians-blindness/2413807.html