But there is a way to protect your vision. Dr. Dave Patel, a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist, explains one of the most important things you can do to prevent glaucoma from stealing your sight.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (0:59) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Glaucoma can mean a loss of peripheral vision which can lead to tunnel vision, even blindness.

Sometimes there are no symptoms till it's too late.

"Unfortunately, it's termed the silent thief of sight. And that’s primarily because most patients when they present aren’t aware that they’re even having it or in the advanced stages of it," says Dr. Patel.

Glaucoma often is caused by a buildup of fluid in your eye that can lead to damage of the optic nerve. Risk factors include use of certain medications, steroids and a family history of glaucoma. 

The good news is treatments, including medications, laser procedures and surgery, have proven successful.

"There’s limitations on what we can treat and what we can't, but numerous studies show if we lower the pressure, then we can salvage or protect the remaining vision," Dr. Patel says.

Early detection leads to better treatments and better outcomes, which is why regular eye exams can be your best defense against glaucoma.

Related content:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: How staring at screens can affect your vision
• Do glasses that block blue light help your eyes?
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Blurry vision as you age
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Relief for dry eyes

For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where other safety protocols were followed.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Protecting your eyesight from glaucoma appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

For many students this is back-to-school time! On the next Mayo Clinic Radio, Saturday, August 30 at 9 a.m. CT, four physicians will join us and share important information related to sending your student back to class. Noelle Larson, M.D., will discuss scoliosis and finding the correct sized backpack. Dawn Davis, M.D., will talk about acne, warts, skin rashes and lice. Robert Jacobson, M.D., will give us the latest information on immunizations for students from preschool to college. Brian Mohney, M.D., will discuss eye exams, eyestrain and overall eye health for students. Join us!

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

To listen to the program on Saturday, click here.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment August 30. 2014 (right click MP3) 

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

For future topics, click on Upcoming Programs.
To listen to archived shows, click on Episodes.
If there is a topic you would like us to address, drop us a note. Click here to create a guest account.

The post MAYO CLINIC RADIO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Miss the show?  Here's the podcast: Mayo Clinic Radio Full Show 8-30-2014

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

To listen to the program on Saturday, click here.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

For future topics, click on Upcoming Programs.
To listen to archived shows, click on Episodes.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Back-To-School appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.