will i get glaucoma

[woogie78]

Hi im a 21 year old female who has a family history of eye problems. My grandfather currently suffers from glaucoma and has since gone blind. Yesterday i went for a regular eye exam and was told that although my eye pressure was 12 my optic nerve looks a bit weak which could or could not be a sign of glaucoma. I then scheduled a visual field test as quickly as possible and was told that my vision is perfectly normal. I am a bit confused. I intend to keep all my eye appointments so as to monitor this situation but should I be scared.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Make sure you are seeing an ophthalmologist.  Also, a nerve scan is indicated.  The changes on the nerve scan occur before visual field changes.

Dr. O.

[cwatt1]

You are no doubt at higher risk because of the genetic factors, but the important thing is you are being diligent about monitoring the situation.  Many people, including myself, are at higher risk, but that does not mean you will actually develop glaucoma.

In the event you do develop glaucoma, there are treatments for it that will keep it under control.  Most people who have glaucoma today do not develop blindness.