Sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste –these five senses enable us to explore and enjoy our world. If you had to give one up, which would it be? Most of us would part with any of the others before giving up our sense of sight. However, a recent CDC survey revealed that close to 40 percent of U.S. adults fail to schedule regular eye exams. Doing so puts them at risk for vision loss from undetected eye diseases such as glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness and the second most common cause of all cases of blindness. It is estimated that over 2.2 million Americans, and more than 60 million individuals around the world, have glaucoma. Fifty percent of them don’t even know that they have it.

In its early stages, glaucoma is most often symptomless. By the time vision loss progresses to a noticeable degree, the disease is usually in an advanced stage. As much as forty percent of one’s vision may be lost before it becomes obvious. Unfortunately, vision loss from glaucoma is permanent. In the United States alone, more than 120,000 people are now blind due to the disease.

There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. The first is the most common and begins with virtually no symptoms. Vision loss occurs gradually due to damage of the optic nerve caused by increased intraocular pressure. It begins with a loss of peripheral or side vision.

The best way to protect your sense of sight from damage by diseases such as glaucoma is with a comprehensive eye examination. Glaucoma may be detected with tonometry, ophthalmoscopy and perimetry. These are routine tests that should be included in your annual eye examination. Early detection is vital to stopping this degenerative disease. Treatment may be recommended in the form of medication or surgery. There is no cure, but treatment can slow or prevent further loss of vision.

Glaucoma can affect anyone of any age, though the common types are most prevalent in the middle-aged and elderly. Those at higher risk for the disease include people over sixty, those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetics and those who are significantly nearsighted.

For more information on the causes, symptoms, detection and treatment of glaucoma, visit the Glaucoma Research Foundation at www.glaucoma.org.