What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of legal blindness in the world. It is a chronic (long-term) eye disease that worsens over time. It is caused by damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends information from the eye to the brain. When the nerve is damaged, you can lose your vision.
There are different types of glaucoma:
Open-angle glaucoma
- Vision gets worse over time, but so slowly that you may not notice it
- May affect both eyes at the same time
- Increase in eye pressure is often small and slow
- Tends to run in families
- Black/African American people may be at higher risk for this disease
Closed-angle glaucoma
- Can happen fast and be a medical emergency
- May affect one eye at a time
- Increase in pressure is often high and quick
Childhood glaucoma
- Rare
- May be present at birth
- May develop in the first few years of life
What Causes It?
The exact cause of glaucoma is not known. Experts think that increased eye pressure may lead to nerve damage. Anyone can develop glaucoma. At first, people with glaucoma may have no or very mild symptoms. But if the disease isn’t treated, vision loss may get worse. It can lead to total blindness over time.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
Glaucoma can’t be cured but can be well controlled with medications. There are things you can do to help stop more damage to your eyes. To help keep your vision from getting worse, you may need medicine (like eyedrops) every day. You may also need laser treatment or surgery if they are medically necessary. You’ll also need routine checkups with your eye specialist.
How To See an Eye Specialist
An optometrist can screen for glaucoma during a routine eye exam. To find an optometrist, visit vsp.com or call 1(800) 438-4560. VSP will give you the phone number of an optometrist that you can get an appointment with.
When you call the optometrist, please make sure to tell them that you are a VSP member. The optometrist will check your VSP vision care coverage. Your appointment with an optometrist is covered under VSP, not San Francisco Health Plan.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors that can treat glaucoma. They are covered by San Francisco Health Plan. Talk with your primary care provider* (PCP) if you need a referral to see an ophthalmologist.
*A primary care provider (PCP) is your main doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner in charge of your health care.
