January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month and a perfect time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease.
The Stats
More than 3 million people in the United States today have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma, called “the sneak thief of sight”, since there are no symptoms until vision is lost. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. And among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Over 3 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t even know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma.
There is no cure for glaucoma—yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease.
Help Raise Awareness
Here are some ways you can help raise awareness:
- Talk to friends and family about glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, don’t keep it a secret. Let your family members know.
- Refer a friend to our website, www.glaucoma.org.
- Request to have a free educational booklet sent to you or a friend.
- Get involved in your community through fundraisers, information sessions, group discussions, inviting expert speakers, and more.
Regular Annual Eye Exams are Important
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization. In the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision, so if you have glaucoma, you may not notice anything until significant vision is lost. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately.
Risk Factors
Are you at risk for glaucoma? Those at higher risk include people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent. Other high-risk groups include: people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severely nearsighted. Regular eye exams are especially important for those at higher risk for glaucoma, and may help to prevent unnecessary vision loss.
For more helpful eye care and vision care tips, please visit our main blog page
Source: https://www.glaucoma.org
Image by Brandon Roberts from Pixabay