To create awareness about the ''sneak thief of sight,'' January has been named National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the second leading source of permanent vision loss, responsible for 9%-12% of all cases of blindness in the United States and effecting nearly 70 million people around the world. Because the disease is initially asymptomatic, research shows that close to 50% of patients with glaucoma are not aware of their condition.
Glaucoma is the name for a group of ocular diseases that have the common affect of causing damage to the eye's optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain. Although anyone can develop glaucoma, those at higher risk include African Americans above age 40, senior citizens, particularly of Mexican descent, and those with a family history of glaucoma.
Because blindness of this kind is irreversible, vision can only be preserved through early diagnosis. Symptoms of the disease, however, don’t present themselves before the optic nerve is damaged, and usually start with an irreversible loss of peripheral (side) vision.
Treatment for glaucoma is determined based on the disease characteristics and the extent of the damage, and may include medication (usually prescription eye drops) or surgery. While scientists are working hard to find a cure, it has not yet been found and therefore early diagnosis and treatment are vital to preserve vision. Since glaucoma is a chronic disease, it is important to find an eye doctor you trust.
According to a recent survey of the National Eye Institute of the NIH, while glaucoma was known to ninety percent of the people they surveyed, a mere eight percent were aware that it presents no early warning symptoms. Only a qualified optometrist can detect the early signs of glaucoma, through a comprehensive glaucoma screening. We suggest a yearly eye exam as your best defense against this potentially devastating disease. Don’t delay in scheduling a comprehensive eye exam before it’s too late.
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