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Q: My friend recently was diagnosed with glaucoma. Is glaucoma treatable? Am I at risk for it?

A: Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that causes damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain to help you see.

Glaucoma usually occurs when there is extra fluid in your eye that causes pressure to increase, damaging the optic nerve and affecting vision permanently, if not addressed. However, there is no pain or other apparent symptom associated with the condition until vision loss occurs.

Glaucoma can occur in individuals at any age, but it is more common in older adults. It is a leading cause of blindness in people who are older than 60.

There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. In the United States, open-angle glaucoma is the most common.

There are certain factors that can increase your risk for glaucoma. These include:

• Age. Individuals over the age of 60 are at increased risk for developing glaucoma.
• Race. African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics are at higher risk.

African-Americans are six to eight times more likely to develop glaucoma than Caucasians.

Asians are at higher risk for developing angle-closure glaucoma.

• Family history. People who have family members with the disease are more likely to develop it.
• Medical conditions. Individuals with certain conditions — such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes — may be at higher risk. In fact, individuals with diabetes have twice the risk of developing glaucoma.
• Eye injuries. Trauma or damage to the eye can cause the pressure to increase.
• Long-term corticosteroid use. Use of corticosteroids, such as prednisone or hydrocortisone, for an extended period of time can put individuals at an increased risk for glaucoma.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma at this time. However, early detection and treatment can help lower the pressure in the eye and maintain vision. Prescription eye drops are the most commonly used medications to reduce pressure. Such eye drops include latanoprost (Xalatan), timolol (Timoptic), and brimonidine (Alphagan P).

If eye drops are not sufficient, oral medications or surgery may be considered. Acetazolamide and methazolamide are prescription medications that may be used.

It is important to use the medications as prescribed in order to maintain the pressure in the eye at a proper level. Don’t forget that your pharmacist can answer questions regarding glaucoma medications.

A comprehensive eye exam is used to determine if an individual has glaucoma. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that individuals with any of the risk factors listed above regularly receive a comprehensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist (an eye specialist).

The frequency of exams will depend on the age of the individual and their risk factors. For those 55 to 64 years old, the recommendation ranges from every one to three years; for individuals 65 years and greater, every one to two years.

Simply measuring the pressure in the eye during screening, a procedure commonly done in standard eye exams, is not sufficient because changes related to glaucoma can occur even with normal pressure. Speak to your eye doctor to determine the best examination schedule for you.

Laura Hsu is a fourth-year Pharm.D. student at VCU School of Pharmacy. She majored in biology at the University of Virginia. Her areas of interest are internal medicine and ambulatory care.