As this month has been designated National Glaucoma Awareness Month, this post is intended to review the importance of early detection of this vision threatening disease. Glaucoma is the term for a class of progressive ocular disorders that cause damage to the eye's optic nerve, which can be a precursor to irreversible blindness. If uncontrolled, glaucoma often initially shows up as peripheral vision loss and ultimately ends up causing total blindness. It is considered to be the number one reason for preventable loss of vision and statistics show that over 60 million people worldwide are afflicted with the vision threatening condition.
A contributing cause of glaucoma is thought to be increased pressure in the eye known as intraocular pressure. The elevation in pressure causes damage to the optic nerve which transmits messages from the eye to the brain. When this pathway is damaged vision is affected. Unfortunately, damage to the optic nerve can't be reversed.
Glaucoma is particularly dangerous because distinct from other causes of vision impairment, it is asymptomatic until it may be too late.
This is why glaucoma is known as the "sneak thief of sight." The question is: how can a patient safeguard against an illness which is asymptomatic?
Early diagnosis of the disease is necessary for effective treatment. While glaucoma risk is universal, specific populations have a higher risk than others. Serious risk factors for glaucoma may include those over 45, those having family members who have had glaucoma, diabetes, or other eye conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, eye injuries or elevated intraocular pressure.
You can learn more about glaucoma if you speak to an eye doctor. There are several diagnostic eye examinations employed to check intraocular pressure and the risk of glaucoma. Especially if you are 45 or older or have one of the other risk factors named above, you should plan for a routine eye examination at least once a year.
It is unfortunate that for the most part glaucoma cannot be prevented. Nevertheless the damage to the optic nerve and deterioration of vision can be halted by timely diagnosis and proper treatment. Contact "Dale M. Stein, O.D., P.A." today, for a yearly glaucoma screening.
