This Month Increase Your Glaucoma Awareness
Since January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, in this article we are here to emphasize the importance of regular screening for glaucoma. Glaucoma is the term for a category of progressive ocular diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve, which can cause a loss of vision. If untreated, the disease often first shows up as vision loss in the periphery of the field of vision and then moves to a complete loss of vision. Glaucoma is thought to be the primary cause of preventable blindness and over 60 million people around the world suffer from it.
The main cause of glaucoma is considered to be an increase in pressure around the optic nerve. As the pressure increases, this damages the optic nerve which transports signals to the vision centers in the brain. When this system doesn't function as needed, eyesight is affected. Unfortunately, damage to the optic nerve can't be reversed.
Glaucoma is particularly dangerous because unlike other forms of vision impairment, there are no symptoms until irreparable damage is done.
It is because of the disease's subtle nature glaucoma is described as the "sneak thief of sight." The problem is: how does one safeguard against a disease which is asymptomatic?
Early detection of glaucoma is important to effective treatment. While everyone may be at risk for glaucoma, certain populations are at higher risk than others. Risk factors for glaucoma can include adults over 45, those having family members who have had glaucoma, a predisposition to diabetes, or known eye conditions such as high intraocular pressure.
The best way to detect glaucoma is to speak to your eye doctor. There are a series of diagnostic eye tests relied on by doctors to measure intraocular pressure and the risk of glaucoma. Especially if you are over 45 or know that you are at risk, make sure to book a routine eye examination at least once a year.
It is unfortunate that most types of glaucoma are not preventable. That being said, the deterioration of sight may be prevented by a reliable diagnosis and prompt treatment. Don't delay! Contact Aker Eye Center today, for a yearly glaucoma screening.
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