share ailment info Glaucoma Glaucoma Treatment Options About Glaucoma Types of Glaucoma Symptoms of Glaucoma Tests for Glaucoma Glaucoma Risk Factors Cataract Eyelid, Tear Duct & Orbit Retinal Conditions Pediatric Ophthalmologist Atlanta LASIK Surgery in Atlanta Optical & Contacts Hearing Center Specialties Eye Terminology ECA Foundation Refill & Reorder Our Blog Research Glaucoma font size + - Glaucoma: The Sneak Thief of Sight Glaucoma is an eye disease that slowly and painlessly steals away your sight. Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight because it has no symptoms-it does not make your eyes red or cause pain. However, it is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, and half of the people who have glaucoma don’t know that they have the disease and are not aware that they are going blind. The cause of glaucoma is unknown, but there are several risk factors that increase your risk of developing glaucoma. These include high eye pressure (called intraocular pressure, or IOP), older age, being African-American or Hispanic, and having a family history of glaucoma. Anyone with any of these risk factors should get regular eye examinations to look for glaucoma. Glaucoma damages vision by destroying the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain, and carries visual information to your brain for processing. When the optic nerve is damaged from glaucoma, you lose your vision. Your peripheral vision-or side vision-is lost first. If the glaucoma remains untreated, the vision loss creeps in toward the center, first causing tunnel vision, and then, eventually, blindness. Want to Request Your Appointment Today? Request Appointment Our Many Locations Around the Atlanta Area Cumberland 404-351-2220 Advanced Eye 770-422-8002 Brookhaven 470-298-8553 Buckhead 404-350-1425 Fayetteville 770-719-7950 (Adult) 678-385-0377 (Pediatric) Lawrenceville 678-323-1041 (Adult) (678) 323-1041 (Pediatric) Marietta 770-424-5669 (Adult) 770-422-4055 (Pediatric) Newnan 678-673-2340 (Adult) 678-673-2340 (Pediatric) Peachtree Corners 678-781-7530 Piedmont Hospital 404-351-2220 Scottish Rite 404-255-2419 (Pediatric) Stockbridge 470-264-0840 The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. Facebook Twitter YouTube Blog Home Locations Our Atlanta Eye Doctors Contact Us Request Appointment Research Employment The Focus Patient Forms Cataract Eyelid, Tear Duct & Orbit Glaucoma Retinal Conditions LASIK Surgery in Atlanta News & Events Patient Survey Optical & Contact Hearing Center Pediatrics & Strabismus Eyecare Specialties ECA Foundation Eye Terminology Refill & Reorder © Eye Consultants 2021. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions