Why Glaucoma Awareness Matters
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, a reminder for all of us to take the time to learn about this condition and why it’s important to have regular optometrist visits. Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated. Keep reading to learn about the risk factors, treatment options, prevention, and the importance of scheduling regular checkups with your optometrist.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by damage to the optic nerve, which relays messages from your eyes to your brain to create visual images. It is usually caused by elevated intraocular pressure due to fluid blockage. Glaucoma is particularly dangerous when left untreated as it can cause irreparable vision loss and even complete blindness.
Risk factors & treatment options
Everyone is at risk of developing glaucoma, but certain groups have a higher risk than others. Those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetes or hypertension are more likely to develop this eye condition. Additionally, the risk of developing glaucoma is higher in people over 60 years old and African Americans over 40 years old.
Fortunately, there are several treatment options available that can help slow down or even reverse vision loss caused by glaucoma. These include medications such as eyedrops and oral tablets, laser therapy, and surgery depending on the severity of the condition.
Prevention & regular checkups
Regular checkups with your optometrist are the best way to prevent glaucoma, especially if you fall into the higher-risk categories mentioned above. During these visits, your optometrist will measure your intraocular pressure (IOP) levels and look for other signs of glaucoma to ensure early detection before it causes permanent damage or vision loss. It’s also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of developing this serious eye condition.
By understanding glaucoma risk factors and learning about treatment options available today, we can all play an active role in preventing vision loss caused by glaucoma. That’s why it’s essential that everyone schedule regular checkups with their optometrist so they can catch this eye disease early before it affects their sight permanently. Schedule an appointment with Lighthouse Vision today if you are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma or have not seen an eye doctor in a while.