"4Glaucoma in its early phases is really 5asymptomatic. People have no idea that they have it."
Dr. David Friedman with Massachusetts Eye and Ear says the first thing to know about glaucoma is that 6early detection is 7critical.
A regular eye exam can help prevent damage and loss of vision from the condition.
Next, while anyone can get glaucoma, certain groups have a higher risk, including everyone over the age of 60, African Americans over age 40, people with a family history of glaucoma, and those who have 8diabetes.
Third, there are several forms of glaucoma; 9Angle-closure and 10open-angle are the most common. Both 11tend to 12run in families.
Fourth, there's no cure for glaucoma, but there are treatments that can help reduce eye pressure and 13preserve vision, including eye drops, oral medicine, or surgery.
"The eye, just like a balloon, has a pressure, and in the eye, it's water that makes the pressure; we can do things to either allow more of that water to leave the eye or to reduce the amount of water made in the eye."
Finally, the CDC says Medicare covers an annual glaucoma test for those at high risk of developing it.
"The strongest recommendation I can make is that as people are 14aging, they get routine eye care."
