National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Since January marks National Glaucoma Awareness Month, in this article we would like to emphasize the importance of regular screening for this vision threatening disease. Glaucoma is a category of eye disorders that damage the eye's optic nerve, which can be a precursor to a permanent loss of vision. If not treated, the damage often initially shows up as vision loss in the periphery of the field of vision and ultimately ends up causing total blindness. It is the primary reason for avoidable blindness and over 60 million individuals around the world have it.
One of the primary sources of glaucoma is considered to be an increase in pressure in the eye. As the pressure increases, this causes damage to the optic nerve which transmits signals to the vision centers in the brain. When this system is damaged vision is impaired. At the current time, optic nerve damage can't be corrected.
Glaucoma is particularly dangerous because unlike other causes of blindness, there are no signs that warn of the progression of the condition until it may be too late.
This is why glaucoma has acquired the nickname the "sneak thief of sight." This may leave you wondering: how can one safeguard against an illness which is asymptomatic?
Prompt diagnosis of the disease is the key to effective treatment. Although glaucoma risk is universal, specific populations are at higher risk than others. Risk factors for glaucoma may include anyone over 45, those with a family history of glaucoma, a predisposition to diabetes, or other eye conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, eye injuries or high intraocular pressure.
There are several different categories of glaucoma such as open or close angle glaucomas. As a rule of thumb, both eyes are affected, although the disease may progress more rapidly in one of the eyes.
To learn more about glaucoma contact an eye doctor. There are several diagnostic eye examinations employed to check the beginnings of glaucoma. Particularly if you are 45 or older or know that you are at risk, you should plan for a comprehensive eye exam annually.
Unfortunately most types of glaucoma are not preventable. That being said, the damage to the optic nerve and deterioration of vision may be stopped by timely diagnosis and treatment. Don't delay! Contact "Palmetto Vision Care, LLC" today, for an annual screening for glaucoma.
