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  • Still image from animation simulating how vision can be affected by glaucoma

    Glaucoma Vision Simulator

    Leer en Español:
    Simulador: El glaucoma
    Written By: Dan T. Gudgel
    Jan. 18, 2019

    How does glaucoma affect your vision?

    Blind spots appear when glaucoma damages the fibers of the optic nerve. If the entire nerve is destroyed, you can become completely blind in that eye. The optic nerve is made up of many nerve fibers that carry images to the brain. It's like an electric cable, with many wires bundled together.

    When there is more damage to the optic nerve, more, larger blank spots begin to appear in your field of vision. Many people don't notice these blank spots until the optic nerve is very damaged and these spots become large. This unnoticed vision loss is why people with glaucoma or at risk of glaucoma should have regular eye exams, on the schedule their ophthalmologist suggests.

    An animated image, showing the common progression of vision loss in glaucoma, from peripheral and central vision.

    Previous

    What Is a Glaucoma Drainage Implant?

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