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Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. Glaucoma causes fluid to build up in your eye, causing pressure that can damage the optic nerve, which transfers visual images to your brain. But, you can save your vision with early detection and treatment. Nearly 3 million Americans have glaucoma. Half don’t know it. Lack of awareness and the absence of symptoms are preventing people from detecting the disease early. You can change that! Find out if you have glaucoma.Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes
If detected early, before noticeable vision loss occurs, glaucoma can usually be controlled and severe vision loss can often be prevented. Vision that is lost from glaucoma cannot be restored. This is why it is so important to schedule an eye exam every year, even if you think your eyesight is unchanged. Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes
Anyone can get glaucoma, but those at higher risk include: Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes

  • African Americans over age 40 Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes
  • Everyone over age 60, especially Hispanics/Latinos
  • People with a family history of the disease

Schedule an eye exam today!

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Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes
This year, make a resolution for healthier vision. Make sure your eyes are healthy and you are seeing your best in 2017. Schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same. Vision loss can be prevented or controlled.

To learn more about glaucoma, view this animated video. For tips on finding an eye care professional and for information on financial assistance, visit www.nei.nih.gov/glaucoma or call National Eye Institute at 301–496–5248.

Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes

 

Glaucoma Facts Protect Eyes

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Vision

5 Things to Know About Glaucoma

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Every New Year, you make a list of things you will do to stay healthy so you can feel your best. But, did you realize that feeling your best includes seeing your best too? January is Glaucoma Awareness Month – the perfect time to spread the word about the disease. So, this year, add learning about glaucoma to your list! Your eyes will thank you for it. 5 Things to Know About Glaucoma

1. Glaucoma can cause vision loss and blindness, which can’t be reversed.

Glaucoma causes fluid to build up in your eye, causing pressure
that can damage the optic nerve, which transfers visual images
to your brain. But, you can save your vision with early detection and treatment.

2. There are no early symptoms.

Glaucoma often has no early warning signs. No pain. No discomfort. No blurry vision. Only advanced glaucoma will affect your vision. Don’t wait for symptoms to visit your eye doctor!

3. In the United States, half the people who have glaucoma don’t know they do.

Nearly 3 million Americans have glaucoma. Half don’t know it. Lack of awareness and the absence of symptoms are preventing people from detecting the disease early. You can change that! Find out if you have glaucoma.

4. Some people are at higher risk than others.

African Americans over 40, adults over 60 – especially Hispanics/Latinos, and people with a family history of glaucoma are at higher risk, making early detection especially important. Are you at higher risk? Talk to your family about glaucoma.

5. There is only one way to know if you have glaucoma.

Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to find out if you have glaucoma. During the exam, an eye care professional places drops in your eyes to widen the pupils and looks for signs of the disease in the optic nerve.
Now that you’ve got the facts about glaucoma, make a resolution for healthier vision. Schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam today! And encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same. 5 Things to Know About Glaucoma
To learn more about glaucoma, visit www.nei.nih.gov/glaucoma. 5 Things to Know About Glaucoma
The National Eye Institute (NEI) leads the federal government’s research on the visual system and eye diseases. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs to develop sight-saving treatments and address the special needs of people with vision loss. For more information, visit www.nei.nih.gov. 5 Things to Know About Glaucoma

5 Things to Know About Glaucoma

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Vision

You Could Have Glaucoma and Not Even Know It

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Make a Resolution for Healthy Vision You Could Have Glaucoma and Not Even Know It

January is Glaucoma Awareness month. As you plan for a healthier 2017, why not add this sight-saving exercise to your list of resolutions: Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. It’s the only way to find out for sure whether you have glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in America. You Could Have Glaucoma and Not Even Know It
An eye disease that can rob you of your vision, glaucoma often comes with no early warning. No pain. No discomfort. No blurry vision. Nearly 3 million people have glaucoma, yet half don’t know they have it.
Glaucoma starts with a buildup of fluid that increases the pressure in your eye and can cause damage to the optic nerve, the bundle of nerve fibers that transfers visual images to your brain. Glaucoma first affects your peripheral, or side, vision. As the disease advances, more noticeable vision loss will occur, and if not controlled, the disease can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness.
You can take action to protect yourself from glaucoma.
“If glaucoma is detected in its early stages, pressure can be controlled through medication or surgery, and the progression
of the disease can be delayed,” says Dr. Paul Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute (NEI). “Early detection by having a
comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years is key to protecting vision, especially if you are at higher risk.”
Are you at higher risk for glaucoma? You could be if you:

  • Are African American and age 40 or older
  • Are over age 60, especially if you are Hispanic/Latino
  • Have a family history of the disease

Everyone at higher risk should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam, which is different from the basic eye exam for glasses. A comprehensive dilated eye exam is a procedure in which an eye care professional places drops in your eyes to widen the pupil and looks at the optic nerve for signs of the disease.
This year, make a resolution for healthier vision. Make sure your eyes are healthy and you are seeing your best in 2016. Schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same.
To learn more about glaucoma, view this animated video. For tips on finding an eye care professional and for information on financial assistance, visit www.nei.nih.gov/glaucoma or call NEI at 301–496–5248.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) leads the federal government’s research on the visual system and eye diseases. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs to develop sight-saving treatments and address the special needs of people with vision loss. For more information, visit www.nei.nih.gov.
You Could Have Glaucoma and Not Even Know It
You Could Have Glaucoma and Not Even Know It
You Could Have Glaucoma and Not Even Know It

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