This Month Increase Your Awareness of Glaucoma

Since this month is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, in this article we are here to stress 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 may lead to irreversible blindness. When untreated, glaucoma often initially shows up as peripheral vision loss and ultimately ends up causing total blindness. It is considered to be the leading cause of avoidable vision loss and an estimated sixty million people worldwide have it.

A contributing source of glaucoma is considered to be an increase in pressure around the optic nerve called intraocular pressure. As the pressure increases, this causes damage to the optic nerve which is responsible for delivering messages to the brain. In instances where this pathway is damaged vision is affected. Regrettably, damage to the optic nerve is typically permanent.

Glaucoma is particularly threatening because distinct from other causes of vision impairment, it is an asymptomatic condition until it may be too late.
This is why glaucoma is known as the "sneak thief of sight." This may leave you asking: how is it possible to prevent an illness which has no obvious symptoms?

Early diagnosis of glaucoma is crucial to successful treatment. While glaucoma risk is universal, particular groups have a higher risk than others. Risk factors for glaucoma can include adults over 45 years old, anyone with a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, or known eye conditions such as elevated intraocular pressure.

There are several different categories of glaucoma such as open or close angle glaucomas. As a general rule, both eyes are affected, however the disease may progress more rapidly in one of the eyes.

You can learn more about glaucoma if you find a qualified eye doctor. There are several diagnostic eye evaluations relied on by doctors to measure damage to the ocular nerves caused by glaucoma. Especially if you are 45 or older or know that you are at risk, make sure to schedule a routine eye exam at least once a year.

The truth is that for the most part glaucoma is not preventable. That being said, the damage to the optic nerve and deterioration of vision can be stopped by a reliable diagnosis and prompt treatment. Don't delay! Contact Dr. Barry C. Nolt Prof. Corp today, for a yearly screening for glaucoma.