This Month is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

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.

Dry Eyes

Dry Eye is a chronic problem that has irritated patients for years. This condition is responsible for redness of the eyes, excess tearing, inability to wear contact lenses, blurred vision, and general discomfort for a fair portion of the population.

Causes of dry eye include: decreased tear production(this may be a side effect from certain medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, steroids, hormone treatment, and certain birth control), eye irritation(for example,living in dry climates or working outside in windy conditions), systemic conditions(diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis to name a few-also, LASIK may cause dry eye), and also from working conditions(staring at a computer screen or excessive reading reduces blink rate, which decreases tear production).

Whatever the cause, dry eye can be an irritating problem that though seems benign, can have a profound effect on one's quality of life.

Luckily, there are many treatment options available.
1)Artificial tears come in many brands and formulas. They work well and for many people are all that are needed to remedy the problem. Over-the-counter and used as needed, they may provide the necessary relief to overcome dry eye symptoms.
2)Vitamins taken orally that contain omega-3 fatty acids, marine lipid oil, and flaxseed oil have also shown to improve the quality of tear.
3)Restasis- is a prescription drop(cyclosporin) that makes your body produce more tears. It is fairly new, but has had good results so far.
4)Punctal Plugs, are silicon or collagen plugs inserted into the puncta(tear drainage canal) to stop drainage of ones own tears.

Contact your eyecare provider for more information on dry eye.