Problem
Glaucoma produces a steady increase in the pressure inside the eye. This pressure can slowly cause the optic nerve to atrophy so that you first lose the ability to see to the side, then to the front. Eventually, untreated glaucoma will cause blindness.

Cause
Glaucoma seems to run in families, but because it is due to multiple genetic defects rather than a single defective gene, there is no clear pattern of genetic inheritance; your parents may be carriers who pass the glaucoma on to you without developing it themselves. Chronic open angle glaucoma can occur at any age, but your risk is highest after age 30. If you injure your eyes or develop cataracts, you may develop glaucoma earlier. Men and women are equally at risk. But race is another factor, usually blacks develop this disease more frequently. Your risk of developing Glaucoma goes up if you have diabetes or sickle cell disease or if you are taking steroids.

How Serious
Untreated Chronic Glaucoma that starts at age 40 to 45 may leave you blind by the age of 60 or 65. Therefore if you detect something is going wrong with the eyes then seeing a doctor is the correct choice.

Solutions
Listening to slow, relaxing music for 20-40 mins each day might help reduce the eye pressure that marks glaucoma. --- Janalea Hoffman, R.M.T., a composer and music therapist based in Kanas City, Missouri.