It's National Glaucoma Awareness Month

To increase awareness about the ''sneak thief of sight,'' January has been declared National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the leading source of avoidable blindness, accounting for 9%-12% of all cases of complete vision loss in the United States and effecting nearly 70 million people worldwide. Because glaucoma is initially asymptomatic, research shows that nearly 50% of patients with the disease are not aware of their condition.

Glaucoma is the name for a category of eye diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying images between the eye and the brain. Although anyone can develop glaucoma, there are certain populations that are more likely to develop it such as African Americans above 40 years of age, senior citizens, in particular Mexican Americans, and individuals with a family history of glaucoma.

Because blindness due to optic nerve damage can not be restored, sight can only be preserved through early diagnosis. This is difficult however, because symptoms rarely manifest before the optic nerve is damaged, and usually begin with an irreparable loss of peripheral (side) vision.

Treatment for glaucoma is determined based on the disease characteristics and the amount of nerve damage, and may include medication (usually prescription eye drops) or surgery. While scientists are working hard to find a cure, it has not yet been found and therefore early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent vision loss. Since glaucoma develops gradually and requires constant attention, it is preferable to find an eye doctor you trust.

The NIH's National Eye Institute recently found that while ninety percent of people had heard of glaucoma, only eight percent knew that it has no early warning signs. Only a qualified eye care professional can identify the initial signs of glaucoma, using a thorough glaucoma screening. We suggest a yearly eye exam as your best defense against this silent disease. Don’t delay in scheduling your annual comprehensive eye exam before it’s too late.