I wish I could begin this post with the symptoms of glaucoma since it’s one of the most prevalent diseases in our society but most people have symptoms after the optic nerve has been damaged irreversibly. Glaucoma refers to a category of eye disorders often associated with a dangerous buildup of internal eye pressure. According to Prevent Blindness America, there are an estimated 3 million Americans that have glaucoma but only approximately half of them know about it. The other half will know about it when symptoms occur such as blurry vision, halos around lights, intense eye pain or even vomiting. When you have these symptoms, irreversible damage has already begun to the optic nerve which will affect your visual health the rest of your life. That’s why it’s so important to undergo regular eye examinations to discover glaucoma at the earliest possible stage

Since Lasik Eye Surgery has become so prevalent in our society, more people are discovering that they have glaucoma than ever before by undergoing a routine eye examination before they undergo surgery. During an eye exam, a tonometer is used to measure intraocular eye pressure. Normally, eye pressure (IOP) should be 21 mmHG.

One man who was leaving a New York eye clinic said, “I was hear to get my vision corrected and I found out I have glaucoma. How should I feel?”

Good that is was discovered, sir- you should feel good.