Keeping an eye out

Vision Source offers glaucoma tests throughout January

To celebrate National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a network of valley optometrists are doing their part throughout January to help at-risk residents keep an eye on the health of their eyes.

The Vision Source network, which consists of 10 optometrist offices throughout the Las Vegas Valley, will be offering free glaucoma screenings through Saturday.

Approximately 1.5 million Americans have glaucoma and are unaware of it, according to the Glaucoma Foundation.

Up until about four months ago Marlene Richards, 72, was one of the 1.5 million.

"I went to Dr. (Victoria) Mar for a check up and to get a new prescription for my prescription sunglasses," Richards explained. "And she said the pressure in my eye was a little high. I had no idea whatsoever it could be glaucoma, but it was."

Although Richards was taken aback by her diagnosis, she said she knew the risk was higher for those with a family history of the disease.

"My mom had it, so I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised," she said. "But I'm OK, I just have to put eye drops in every night before I go to bed."

Like many eye ailments, glaucoma often doesn't cause any discomfort or noticeable changes until the disease has gone unnoticed for some time.

Mar, who is taking part in the free screenings, described glaucoma as essentially being too much fluid in the eye, which causes elevated pressure, which in turn causes damage and, if left untreated, blindness.

Over time, the elevated pressure damages the optic nerve, which transmits the visual information the eye gathers to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, sight is permanently lost. Like the majority of other eye ailments, the continuing damage from the disease can be slowed or even stopped, but not reversed, which is reason enough to schedule regular eye exams, Mar said.

In a healthy eye, aqueous -- a clear, watery fluid that flows between the lens and the iris, nourishing the lens and cornea -- is constantly produced, continuously circulated and is drained through the trabecular meshwork. When the trabecular meshwork -- a tiny vessel where the iris and cornea meet -- becomes clogged, the fluid can't drain and it backs up.

When enough fluid has built up to the point where the eye can't contain it, the weakest point of the eye gives, which is where the optic nerve exits the eye. This causes nerve cells in the optic nerve to become compressed, damaging them and, being very fragile to begin with, eventually die. The nerves do not repair themselves, so when they die, loss of vision occurs.

"There is no cure, that is another reason we need to catch it early and treat it," Mar said. "It is usually very slow to progress."

Mar said people suffering from glaucoma lose their peripheral vision first, leaving them to see only what is directly in front of them, often referred to as tunnel vision.

Who is most at risk for developing glaucoma?

"A lot of it is genetic," Mar said. "Diabetes and age are two big factors. But anyone over 40 should get their eyes checked regularly."

Blacks and Hispanics over the age of 40 are a high-risk group as well, according to the Vision Source national office.

Sumpter Darby was diagnosed with the disease last year. His father and sister have glaucoma, so he knew he had a higher chance of developing the disorder.

"My family history of it got me a little nervous," Darby, 64, said. "And when they told me I had it, I actually expected it a little. But I am relieved because now I'm treating it."

Darby also uses eye drops to control the pressure within his eyes.

"And I informed my two kids to remember to be careful," he said. "I told them that when they get around 40 years old, to have their eyes checked every year."

To make an appointment for a free screening, call (800) 393-7911. To locate the nearest participating office, visit www.visionsourcevegas.com.