This Month Increase Your Glaucoma Awareness
As January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, this post is intended to spread the word about the importance of knowing about the indications of this vision threatening disease. Glaucoma is a category of ocular diseases that cause damage to the eye's optic nerve, which can be a precursor to blindness. When untreated, the disease often first causes peripheral vision loss and ultimately ends up causing a complete loss of vision. It is thought to be the number one reason for preventable vision loss and statistics show that over 60 million people worldwide suffer from the vision threatening condition.
A contributing cause of glaucoma is thought to be elevated pressure around the optic nerve. The increase in pressure around the eye causes damage to the optic nerve which transmits signals from the eye to the vision centers in the brain. When this pathway is damaged eyesight is affected. At the current time, damage to the optic nerve is usually permanent.
The most dangerous thing about glaucoma is that distinct from other forms of vision impairment, there are no symptoms until irreparable damage is done.
It is for this reason that glaucoma is often called the "sneak thief of sight." This may leave you asking how does one prevent a condition which lacks any obvious symptoms?
Prompt diagnosis of glaucoma is necessary for successful treatment. While glaucoma risk is universal, particular groups are more at risk than others. Risk factors for glaucoma may include those over 45, anyone with a family history of glaucoma, individuals with a predisposition towards diabetes, or other eye conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, eye injuries or high intraocular pressure.
There are a few different types of glaucoma such as open-angle or closed angle glaucomas. The condition usually affects both eyes, however the disease can advance more rapidly in one of the eyes.
An effective way to detect glaucoma is to contact an eye doctor. There are a series of diagnostic eye examinations used to assess the beginnings of glaucoma. Particularly if you are 45 or older or know that you are at risk, it's important to book a comprehensive eye examination at least once a year.
Unfortunately most kinds of glaucoma are not preventable. That being said, the optic nerve damage and loss of vision may be slowed by early diagnosis and treatment. Don't delay! Contact ParkRidge Vision Specialists today, for annual screening for glaucoma.
