January Health Tip

January Health Tip: National Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. This month’s health tip is supplied at the courtesy of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida through their "Better Blue for You" publication.

-- Robert S. Oller, D.O., Chief Executive Officer, NSU’s Division of Clinical Operation

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning by damaging the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for sending information from the eye to the brain and back to the eye. In the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms. The most likely symptoms will be a loss of vision and often the vision loss is pretty serious before it is noticed.

Experts estimate that half of the people affected by glaucoma may not know they have it. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. However, certain groups are at higher risk than others.

• Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African- Americans.
• The risk of glaucoma increases after age 40 and even higher after age 70.
• If members of your immediate family have glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk than the rest of the population.
• Other risk factors include: high myopia (nearsightedness), diabetes, and hypertension.

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. Glaucoma can occur as the result of an eye injury, inflammation, tumor, or in advanced cases of cataract or diabetes. Injury to the eye may cause secondary open angle glaucoma. The most common cause is sports-related injuries such as baseball or boxing. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later.

There is no cure for glaucoma but early detection is vital to stopping the progression of the disease. People at high risk for glaucoma should get a complete eye exam, including eye dilation, every one or two years. An eye doctor will perform a series of painless tests to check for any changes in your eye or vision. Glaucoma can often be controlled with medications, either eye drops or pills, and if those do not work, surgery, to prevent further loss of vision.

So while you’re contemplating your healthy resolutions for the New Year, don’t forget to add “schedule wellness appointments” to your list.

• http://www.glaucoma.org/learn/what_is_glaucom.php
• http://www.glaucoma.org/learn/are_you_at_risk.php
• http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/tc/glaucoma-topic-overview