World Glaucoma Week

Glaucoma is usually described as a disease affecting peripheral vision. So, it wouldn’t have any effect on reading, the ultimate task of central vision, right?
In fact, glaucoma does affect reading. Why? First, while glaucoma does affect peripheral vision, it also affects central vision. Glaucoma patients with moderate or severe disease often describe looking through a fog which extends into their central vision. Because of this fogging, people with glaucoma recognise fewer letters in one glance. They must therefore look at text more times to make their way through a passage. The result is slower reading and particular difficulty with longer words.Second, reading also brings in one’s mid-peripheral vision. For example, we use our field of view when moving from the end of one line to the start of a new line of text, or when searching a page of information for the specific details we wish to learn about. Glaucoma patients have particular difficulty with these aspects of reading. Even when glaucoma patients can read, it is more difficult. Over long periods of time, individuals with more severe glaucoma tire, and their reading speed slows. They also understand less of what they read. Because of all these difficulties, persons with glaucoma read less often. As a result, they may become less independent and more disconnected from the world. So, while we continue to fight for treatments that restore vision, what can be done to make reading easier for those with glaucoma? You can start by trying some things on your own. Increase the text size when working on the computer or other electronic devices. Use spot lighting when reading a book.
Consider reading on a tablet or other device that enables reverse polarity (white letters on a black background instead of black letters on a white background). These tips are not so easy to perfect on your own.
So, if you’re having trouble reading and haven’t seen a vision rehabilitation specialist, ask your doctor for a referral. These professionals specialise in helping you live as functionally and independently as possible with the vision that you have.

Are you at risk for glaucoma?

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. However, certain groups are at higher risk than others.
Through your generous donations and engaged civic involvement, we can help at-risk groups become aware of early symptoms, increase early diagnosis, and start treatment to preserve vision.
People at high risk for glaucoma should get a complete eye exam, including eye dilation, every one or two years.
The following are groups at higher risk for developing glaucoma.

African Americans:

After cataracts, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African Americans and people of African descent. Glaucoma is six to eight times more common in African Americans than in Caucasians.

People over 60:

Glaucoma is much more common among older people. You are six times more likely to get glaucoma if you are over 60 years old.

Family members with glaucoma:

The most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, is hereditary. If members of your immediate family have glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk than the rest of the population.
Family history increases risk of glaucoma four to nine times.

Hispanics in older age groups:

Recent studies indicate that the risk for Hispanic populations is greater than those of predominantly European ancestry, and that the risk increases among Hispanics over age 60.

Asians:

People of Asian descent appear to be at increased risk for angle-closure glaucoma. Angle-closure glaucoma accounts for less than 10 per cent of all diagnosed cases of glaucoma. People of Japanese descent are at higher risk for normal-tension glaucoma.

Steroid users:

Some evidence links steroid use to glaucoma. A 1997 study reported in the Journal of American Medical Association demonstrated a 40% increase in the incidence of ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma in adults who require approximately 14 to 35 puffs of steroid inhaler to control asthma.
This is a very high dose, only required in cases of severe asthma.

Eye injury:

Injury to the eye may cause secondary open-angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later.

Blunt injuries that ‘bruise’
the eye:

Called blunt trauma or injuries that penetrate the eye can damage the eye’s drainage system, leading to traumatic glaucoma.
The most common cause is sports-related injuries such as baseball or boxing.

Other Risk Factors

Other possible risk factors include:
• High myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hypertension
• Central corneal thickness less
than 0.5 mm.