Follow us on Facebook
Review us on Yelp!
Find us on GoogleThis Month Increase Your Awareness of Glaucoma
As January marks National Glaucoma Awareness Month, this post is intended to stress the importance of recognizing the indications of this vision threatening disease. Glaucoma is a category of eye disorders that cause damage to the optic nerve, which may be a precursor to blindness. If untreated, the disease often first results in peripheral vision loss and ultimately ends up causing a complete loss of vision. It is considered to be the leading cause of avoidable vision loss and, according to estimates, over 60 million people around the world are afflicted with the vision threatening condition.
One of the main causes of glaucoma is considered to be increased pressure in the eye referred to as intraocular pressure. The elevation in pressure damages the optic nerve which delivers messages from the eye to the brain. In instances where this pathway is damaged vision is impaired. Unfortunately, optic nerve damage can't be corrected.
Glaucoma is especially dangerous because distinct from other causes of vision loss, there are no symptoms until irreparable damage is done.
It is for this reason that glaucoma is described as the "sneak thief of sight." The question is how can one safeguard against a disease which has no obvious symptoms?
Prompt detection of the disease is important to successful treatment. While everyone may be at risk for glaucoma, certain populations are at higher risk than others. Risk factors for glaucoma may include those over 45 years of age, individuals having a family history of glaucoma, individuals with diabetes, or other eye conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, eye injuries or elevated intraocular pressure.
There are many different types of glaucoma such as open or close angle glaucomas. As a general rule, both eyes are affected, however the disease may progress more quickly in one eye than in the other.
To learn more about glaucoma speak to your eye doctor. There are several diagnostic eye evaluations relied on by doctors to check intraocular pressure and the risk of glaucoma. Especially if you are over 45 or know that you are at risk, it's important to plan for a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year.
The truth is that most types of glaucoma cannot be prevented. That being said the damage to the optic nerve and deterioration of vision can be halted by early diagnosis and treatment. Contact Invision Eye Care Optometry now, for an annual glaucoma screening.
