March 10-16 is World Glaucoma Week
Learn about the silent thief of vision and why everything is green-washed.
The name glaucoma is derived from ancient Greek glaukós which describes gleaming, blue-green, or gray. Hence the color associated with Glaucoma is green!
Quick recap: What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is not a single condition, but a whole group of eye diseases that lead to gradual damage of the optic nerve. It is characterized by gradual loss of your visual field. That’s why it has been dubbed the “silent thief of vision” because it sneaks up on you like a Rogue in DnD rolling a nat 20 on their stealth check.
Types of Glaucoma
The most commonly known image of Glaucoma is the tunnel-vision type. Makes sense, as this is the progressed stage. A.k.a. the stage where it’s causing the most trouble! Below I have added the different types of glaucoma. Reference them at your leisure, and you will notice how all of them are gradual.
So while it’s a good example to visualize what blindness caused by glaucoma means, it is not the only image you should be thinking of when you hear it.
Try focusing on one point in the distance and imagine your peripheral vision slowly closing in around it. Keep in mind that the peripheral vision is not being filled in by black. I know this is a common misconception around blindness in general: that you would only see black.
But “no vision” in one area does not mean “nothing”, it could also be blurry to the point that you can no longer distinguish shapes from each other. I’ve also heard descriptions of “visual snow” similar to TV static. Depending on the progression stage, it varies how much of your central vision remains unaffected.
Open-angle glaucoma
No symptoms in the early stages
Gradually, patchy blind spots in your side vision (side vision is also known as peripheral vision)
In later stages, you have difficulty seeing things in your central vision
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Severe headache
Severe eye pain
Nausea or vomiting
Blurred vision
Halos or colored rings around lights
Eye redness
Normal-tension glaucoma
No symptoms in the early stages
Gradually: blurred vision
In later stages: loss of side vision
Glaucoma in children
observed in infants:
A dull or cloudy eye
Increased blinking
Tears without crying
Blurred vision
Nearsightedness that gets worse
Headache
Pigmentary glaucoma
Halos around lights
Blurred vision with exercise
Gradual loss of side vision
Read more about the different types of Glaucoma on MayoClinic.org. Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with Mayonaise, it’s just the name.
Events during World Glaucoma Week
Head on over to WorldGlaucomaWeek.org to check the events organized worldwide:
In Japan, Glaucoma Week is illuminated through the Light up in Green movement.
On the Philippines, some clinics offer discounted diagnostics.
In multiple cities in Ecuador, hospitals offer information sessions for at-risk patients. La Mitad del Mundo is also lit up in green!
But there’s more, so check the map for what’s happening close to you!