Increase Your Glaucoma Awareness this Month
Since January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, in this article we would like to spread the word about the importance of knowing about the indications of this vision threatening disease. Glaucoma is a group of ocular disorders that cause damage to the eye's optic nerve, which can cause a permanent loss of vision. When untreated, the damage often initially causes peripheral vision loss until it eventually results in a complete loss of vision. Glaucoma is thought to be the primary reason for preventable loss of vision and statistics show that over sixty million people around the world suffer from the disease.
A significant cause of glaucoma is known to be increased 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 brain. In instances where this pathway is damaged vision is affected. Unfortunately, optic nerve damage can't be fixed.
The most concerning fact about glaucoma is that distinct from other causes of blindness, it is asymptomatic until it may be too late.
This is why glaucoma is described as the "sneak thief of sight." This may leave you asking: is it possible to prevent a disease which lacks any obvious symptoms?
Early detection of the disease is crucial to effective management. Although glaucoma risk is universal, particular groups are at higher risk than others. Risk factors for glaucoma may include those over 45 years old, anyone with family members who have had glaucoma, a predisposition towards diabetes, or known eye problems such as high intraocular pressure.
There are many different categories of glaucoma such as open-angle or closed angle glaucomas. Both eyes are usually affected, however the disease has been known to advance more rapidly in one eye than in the other.
You can learn more about glaucoma if you speak to your optometrist. There are several diagnostic eye evaluations relied on by doctors to assess intraocular pressure and the risk of glaucoma. Especially if you are over 45 or know that you are at risk, make sure to schedule a routine eye exam annually.
Unfortunately for the most part glaucoma is not preventable. However the loss of sight caused by damage to the optic nerve can be prevented by timely diagnosis and prompt treatment. Don't delay! Contact Dr. Wendell Bedsole today, for an annual glaucoma screening.
