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National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Since January marks National Glaucoma Awareness Month, in this article we are here to stress the importance of being aware of the indications of this vision threatening disease. Glaucoma is the term for a group of progressive ocular diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve, which can lead to irreversible blindness. When untreated, the disease often initially results in vision loss in the periphery of the visual field and ultimately ends up causing total blindness. Glaucoma is the number one reason for preventable vision loss and more than 60 million individuals worldwide suffer from it.

A significant cause of glaucoma is known to be an increase in pressure in the eye known as intraocular pressure. The increase in pressure around the eye causes damage to the optic nerve which transports signals to the vision centers in the brain. In instances where this system doesn't work normally, eyesight is affected. Regrettably, damage to the optic nerve is usually permanent.

Glaucoma is especially dangerous because unlike other forms of blindness, there are no indicators that serve as a warning until vision is already lost.
It is because of the disease's subtle nature glaucoma is described as the "sneak thief of sight." This may leave you asking: how can a patient detect a disease which lacks any obvious symptoms?

Early diagnosis of the disease is required for effective care. Although glaucoma risk is universal, specific groups have a higher risk than others. Major risk factors for glaucoma can include those over 45 years of age, those with family members who have had glaucoma, diabetes, or other eye conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, eye injuries or elevated intraocular pressure.

To learn more about glaucoma speak to your eye doctor. There are a series of diagnostic eye examinations employed to check the beginnings of glaucoma. Particularly if you are 45 or older or have one of the other risk factors named above, you should schedule a comprehensive eye examination on a yearly basis.

Unfortunately for the most part glaucoma is not preventable. However the optic nerve damage and loss of vision may be slowed by early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Don't delay! Contact Today's Eyecare today, for annual glaucoma screening.