Glaucoma Awareness Month
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to educate the community and our patients about a disease that is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma affects more than three million people in the U.S. alone. That number is projected to skyrocket to 4.2 million by 2030 – an increase of 58 percent.
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, which is a bundle of more than one million nerve fibers that connect the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye to your brain. Primary open-angle is the most common type of glaucoma - affecting 90 percent of those with the disease.
With this type, drainage canals in the eye become blocked and lead to a buildup of fluid and pressure within the eye. This pressure can damage the optic nerve, thus leading to vision loss.
Vision loss is typically slow and gradual. Unfortunately glaucoma is a deceptive disease in that individuals may not notice any symptoms at all until it is too late. Experts estimate that only half of those with glaucoma are aware they have it.
Though glaucoma can develop in anyone at any age, certain factors can increase the risk of developing the disease.
Those at higher risk include:
- A family history of glaucoma
- Being over age 60
- An increase in eye pressure
- Those of African-American and/or Hispanic descent
- Certain medical conditions such as: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and sickle cell anemia
- Undergoing certain eye surgeries or having an eye injury
In fact, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over 60 years old. Fortunately, blindness and other visual difficulties from glaucoma can be prevented with early detection and treatment. For individuals over the age of 60, an eye exam is recommended annually due to the increased risk of glaucoma and other eye conditions.
Call The Eye Institute at 215.276.6111 to schedule your appointment today!