Increase Your Awareness of Glaucoma this January

Since this month is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, in this article we are here to stress the importance of knowing about the threat of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a category of progressive eye diseases that cause damage to the eye's optic nerve, which can be a precursor to a permanent loss of vision. If untreated, the damage often initially causes vision loss in the periphery of the field of vision and ultimately ends up causing total blindness. It is thought to be the primary reason for avoidable vision loss and an estimated 60 million individuals worldwide have the vision threatening condition.

One of the main causes of glaucoma is considered to be an increase in pressure in the eye referred to as intraocular pressure. As the pressure increases, this causes damage to the optic nerve which delivers messages from the eye to the brain. In instances where this pathway is damaged vision is affected. Unfortunately, optic nerve damage can't be reversed.

Glaucoma is particularly dangerous because distinct from other causes of vision impairment, there are no symptoms until vision is already lost.
This is why glaucoma has acquired the nickname the "sneak thief of sight." The question is how does one detect a condition which is asymptomatic?

Early diagnosis of glaucoma is required for effective care. Although glaucoma risk is universal, particular populations are at higher risk than others. Major risk factors for glaucoma may include anyone over 45 years of age, individuals having a family history of glaucoma, individuals with a predisposition towards diabetes, or other eye conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, eye injuries or high intraocular pressure.

The best way to detect glaucoma is to speak to your optometrist. There are a series of diagnostic eye evaluations employed to measure the beginnings of glaucoma. Especially if you are 45 or older or know that you are at risk, it's important to book a routine eye examination annually.

The fact is for the most part glaucoma cannot be prevented. However the loss of sight caused by damage to the optic nerve can be halted by a reliable diagnosis and quick treatment. Contact Lifetime Eyecare and Contact Lens Center today, for a yearly screening for glaucoma.