It is a brand new year, and as we are hastily making New Year's resolutions, let us not forget to make sure to keep up with the most basic of our health needs. January just so happens to be National Glaucoma Awareness Month. This disease has been named "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no warning signs of glaucoma. Although there are treatments for glaucoma, once a person has become totally blind, it is irreversible. As it stands, by the year 2030, it is projected that there will be an estimated 4.2 million people suffering from glaucoma. That is a 54% increase from the 3 million people that suffer from the disease today.
What is glaucoma exactly? Glaucoma is actually a group of eye diseases that effect the optic nerve of the eye. This optic nerve behaves like an electrical cable that carries images from the eye to the brain. When glaucoma is present, it gradually steals the vision of an individual with no warning. Although mainly prevalent in middle aged and the elderly. glaucoma can effect people of all ages. Although there is no cure, medication and even surgery can aid in the progression of glaucoma.
The group that are at an elevated risk of glaucoma are those of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent. Other high risk groups are those over the age of 60, people who have immediate family members that have the disease, those that suffer from Diabetes, and the severely nearsighted.
The number one tool in the fight against glaucoma is regular eye exams. Schedule yours today!