January is Glaucoma Awareness Month - the perfect time to spread the word about this disease. Glaucoma can cause vision loss and blindness, which can't be reversed. It causes fluid to build up in your eye, causing pressure that can damage the optic nerve, which transfers visual images to your brain. There are no early symptoms. No early warning signs. No pain. No discomfort. No blurry vision. Only advanced glaucoma will affect your vision. Don't wait for symptoms to visit your eye doctor! Some people are at higher risk than others. African Americans over 40, adults over 60 - especially Hispanics/Latinos, and people with a family history of glaucoma are at higher risk. Talk to your family about glaucoma. How do you know if you have it? Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to find out if you have glaucoma. Your eye doctor will look for signs of the disease in the optic nerve during your exam.