January Is Glaucoma Awareness Month!

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness. January is glaucoma awareness month! Help us preserve people’s vision by helping us spread the prevention message this month!

The term “glaucoma” refers to a group of disorders that damage the ocular nerve, leading to vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma is most commonly caused by ocular hypertension, or high pressure inside of the eye.

Typically, There Are No Early Warning Signs

What makes glaucoma so scary is that it often becomes a problem so suddenly. Most people don’t notice any warning signs or symptoms. However, with regular eye exams, we can check the pressure of your eye and monitor your risk.

Who’s Most At Risk For Glaucoma?

Though certain factors put you at a higher risk, it’s important for everyone to understand the risk factors. For example, glaucoma usually affects people in their middle age—and the elderly—but it can, and does, affect people within all age groups.

• African Americans are at a much higher risk, and that risk spikes as early as age 40.
• You’re at a higher risk over age 60, and even more so over age 80.
• Some medical conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease may increase risk.
• If you have a family history of glaucoma, you have much higher risk.

Diagnosing Glaucoma Early Can Help Preserve Sight

There’s no cure for glaucoma. However, when caught early, we can take steps to slow or halt vision loss. Often, treatments as simple as specialized eye drops that reduce the pressure building up inside of your eye can make a difference.

Share This Information With A Friend!

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Everyone age 40 and over should be having regular eye exams. If you have any of the high risk factors listed above, you should be having regular exams even more often!

Take the time to learn more about glaucoma. And thanks for being our valued patients and friends!