The thought of permanently losing sight of all beauty can be overwhelming. Glaucoma is often asymptomatic until it reaches an advanced stage.  This makes caregivers and home healthcare professionals play a critical role in monitoring seniors for any changes in vision and reporting it to the medical team. Some relevant statistics have shown that:

• Glaucoma affects nearly 3 million Americans, with most cases occurring in seniors over age 60.
• Globally, glaucoma is responsible for 11% of all cases of blindness.
• In 2020, approximately 76 million adults aged 40-80 had Glaucoma, with a prevalence rate of 3.54%.
• By 2040, the number of people with Glaucoma is expected to reach 111.8 million.
• The risk of developing Glaucoma rises with age, making the condition more common as the global population ages.
• By 2050, the global population aged 65 and older will double to 2 billion, increasing the prevalence of age-related conditions like Glaucoma.

What Exactly is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. It occurs when the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye increases to a level that damages the optic nerve. Over time, this pressure can erode the nerve fibers, resulting in permanent vision loss, particularly in peripheral (side) vision.

Risk Factors?

• Age (60 years and older)
• Family history
• African American or Hispanic descent
• High intraocular pressure
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease)

Types Of Glaucoma

• Open-Angle Glaucoma (most common)
• Angle-Closure Glaucoma
• Normal-Tension Glaucoma
• Congenital Glaucoma

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Glaucoma progression is often silent and gradual, with no noticeable symptoms in many cases, especially with open-angle glaucoma.

Angle-closure glaucoma can cause immediate, severe symptoms like:

• Eye pain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Halos around lights

 Diagnosis and Treatment

A comprehensive eye exam is the most effective way to diagnose Glaucoma early. If diagnosed, treatment often starts with prescription eye drops to reduce eye pressure. Other treatments include oral medications, laser therapy, and surgery in more advanced cases.

Managing Glaucoma in Seniors

• Glaucoma cannot be cured, but early detection and consistent management can slow its progression.
• Caregivers can assist seniors with:
  • Medication reminders
  • Eye drop application (family caregivers)
  • Follow-up appointment reminders
• Home healthcare providers can also support Glaucoma management by monitoring lifestyle factors such as:
  • Limiting caffeine intake
  • Encouraging light physical activity to help control eye pressure.

Glaucoma awareness is essential for caregivers and seniors alike. Regular eye exams can detect glaucoma early, even without visible symptoms. Misconceptions that good vision negates the need for check-ups can lead to delayed treatments. With proactive care and working closely with healthcare providers, seniors and their caregivers can take proactive steps to protect against this silent threat to sight.

 

References

• Križaj, D. (2019). What is glaucoma?. Webvision: The Organization of the Retina and Visual System [Internet].
• Allison, K., Patel, D., & Besharim, C. (2021). The value of annual glaucoma screening for high-risk adults ages 60 to 80. Cureus, 13(10).

Schuster, A. K., Erb, C., Hoffmann, E. M., Dietlein, T., & Pfeiffer, N. (2020). The diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 117(13), 225.