January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to learn about and educate others on glaucoma, an eye condition that damages the optic nerve and is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. 

To find out more, the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society spoke with David Szynkarski, MD, MBA, an ophthalmologist at Mann Eye Institute in Houston, Texas.

How can patients help prevent glaucoma? 

The most important way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is early detection and treatment—before vision is affected. Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent, but lowering eye pressure, even by a small amount, can dramatically slow or stop the disease. While eye drops are often helpful, they don’t always keep pressure consistently in a safe range. Today, minimally invasive glaucoma procedures give us safe, effective options to lower eye pressure earlier in the disease and better protect long-term vision.

Why are glaucoma treatments in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) recommended? 

From both a surgeon and patient perspective, interventional glaucoma surgery is best performed in an ASC because it provides hospital-level sterility, superior visualization, and controlled anesthesia, which are critical for precise angle-based intraocular surgery. For patients, this means safer surgery, greater comfort, faster recovery, and lower overall cost compared with a hospital setting, while offering far more safety and control than an office-based procedure.

Any facts you’d like to share during Glaucoma Awareness Month? 

More than 50% of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it. Vision lost from glaucoma can’t be restored—but early treatment can preserve sight for life. You can have glaucoma even with “normal” eye pressure. 

Glaucoma affects people of all ages, including children and young adults—not just seniors. A simple eye exam can detect glaucoma years before vision is affected. Lowering eye pressure—even a little—can dramatically slow glaucoma progression. Laser and minimally invasive procedures can reduce or eliminate the need for daily eye drops for many patients. Modern glaucoma surgery is often combined with cataract surgery to improve vision and eye pressure at the same time. Eye drops only work if they’re used correctly—and many patients miss doses without realizing it.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which is essentially an extension of the brain. Peripheral (side) vision is affected first, so patients often don’t notice changes until late stages. Driving vision is usually impacted before reading vision.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Family history matters—having a parent or sibling with glaucoma increases your risk up to 9×. Regular eye exams are the only way to catch glaucoma early.