National Glaucoma Awareness Month
01/09/2014
Glaucoma: Help spread the word about this sight-stealing disease
Glaucoma is the sneak thief of sight. Like other parts of our body, our eyes can become affected by the natural aging process and begin to fail us. Unlike other parts of our body, however, the negative effects of aging eyes are often gradual and unaccompanied by pain, so we may not notice the physical decrease right away. In fact, the Glaucoma Research Foundation calls Glaucoma “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it’s permanent. Their website states: “As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.” January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. It’s a time to spread the word about the harmful effects of the disease and its risks. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Currently, 2.7 million people in the United States, and over 60 million people worldwide, over age 40 have the disease. The National Eye Institute projects the number of people with Glaucoma will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, an epidemic of blindness is looming if awareness isn’t raised about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires. It’s responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain. There is no cure yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of glaucoma. Types of Glaucoma There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and angle-closure glaucoma. These are marked by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye. When optic nerve damage has occurred despite a normal IOP, this is called normal tension glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma refers to any case in which another disease causes or contributes to increased eye pressure, resulting in optic nerve damage and vision loss. Facts and Statistics Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization. In the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision, so if you have glaucoma, you may not notice anything until significant vision is lost. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans. And among Hispanics in older age groups, the risk is nearly as high as that for African-Americans. Also, siblings of persons diagnosed have a significantly increased risk of having glaucoma. Help Raise Awareness Here are three ways you can help raise awareness:- Talk to friends and family about glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, don’t keep it a secret. Let your family members know.
- Refer a friend to the website glaucoma.org.
- Request to have a free educational booklet sent to you or a friend.