National Glaucoma Awareness Month reminds all of us to get regular eye exams and show support for those suffering from this condition. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma is often called “the sneak thief of sight” because glaucoma has few symptoms or warning signs in its early stages. It can be diagnosed only by a full eye exam by an eye care practitioner.
Glaucoma is a disease where pressure builds up and damages the eye’s optic nerve. Types of this disease include the common Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, which causes peripheral eyesight to slowly diminish and is age-related. Angle Closure Glaucoma, where the fluid drainage system is narrow and closed so that the aqueous fluid remains in the front chamber of the eye and intraocular pressure rises; and Low-Tension Glaucoma, where the optic nerve becomes damaged in spite of the intraocular pressures being within the normal range. There’s currently no way to restore vision lost from glaucoma because once the nerve cells become damaged, they do not regenerate.
National Glaucoma Awareness Month reminds all of us to get regular eye exams. Don’t let glaucoma steal your sight! The best way to protect your sight is to get an annual comprehensive eye examination.
