This is Glaucoma Awareness Month – How Aware Are You?
Tue, January 6, 2009 at 03:00AM At one time a diagnosis of glaucoma was the equivalent of a sentence to blindness. Now, things are different – caught in time, glaucoma can be treated in a way that slows or stops the deterioration of vision. But the important phrase is “caught in time”.
Most cases of glaucoma are linked to raised pressure within the eye; the intra-ocular fluids can experience an increase in pressure when more fluid is generated, or the removal mechanism becomes blocked. Glaucoma can damage the eye and optic nerve even before the victim notices a problem with vision. This damage is irreversible, but if treatment is started in time, its further development can be stopped.
The key is regular eye disease screening. The Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye Care America recommend that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline screen sat age 40. Based on the findings, an ophthalmologist will recommend the necessary intervals for follow-up exams.
What are the risk factors for glaucoma? If there’s a family history of glaucoma, there’s a much greater risk of developing it. African-Americans are 6 to 8 times more likely to get glaucoma than Caucasians, and they are much more likely to experience permanent blindness as a result. Mexican-Americans also face an increased risk. And diabetes increases the risk of developing glaucoma. High blood pressure or heart disease can also increase the risk, as can hypothyroidism.
Testing the eyes for raised intra-ocular pressure is a simple, painless examination. If glaucoma is diagnosed in an early stage, treatment is also simple – often one eye drop a day into the affected eye(s) is sufficient. However, the treatment must be continued regularly, for life. It’s often hard to maintain a regular treatment routine when there are no symptoms. But with glaucoma it’s imperative, if eyesight is to be saved. As this link shows, there are many treatment alternatives, including surgery for cases that really need it. There’s no place for herbal remedies, however.
Reader Comments (1)
GLAUCOMA as a disease is highly misunderstood by the public. You can have perfect vision and still suffer from the potential blinding condition, with no symptoms. Glaucoma as a disease, exists in two different forms; Open Angle Glaucoma and Closed Angle Glaucoma. The Glaucomas are blinding conditions occurring when the delicate nerves within the retina that we use to see are damaged from the pressure in the eye. Generally, the first nerves to be affected are the nerves responsible for our side vision. Side vision is also known as Peripheral Vision.