World Glaucoma Week: Could You be at Risk?

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness around the world, and that’s why the International Glaucoma Association is committed to raising awareness through World Glaucoma Week, March 8-14, 2015. We are proud to support World Glaucoma Week and are happy to be your optometrist in Maple Ridge joining in the fight against glaucoma-related blindness.

Glaucoma is not just one disease, the term is actually used to describe a group of conditions that may all result in damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is a treatable condition, but it often goes undetected until serious damage has occurred. The symptoms of glaucoma can be subtle and easy to miss. Regular examinations from an eye doctor play a crucial role in maintaining eye health.

Symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Eye pain
• Gradual loss of peripheral vision in one or both eyes
• Halos around lights
• Nausea related to eye pain
• Red eyes
• Sudden changes in vision, especially in low-light conditions
• Tunnel vision

Who’s at Risk for Glaucoma?

Anyone can be at risk for glaucoma, but there are factors that may put you at greater risk.

Age – People over 60 have a higher risk of developing glaucoma.

Elevated Intraocular Pressure – An elevated internal eye pressure may make you more vulnerable to this disease.

Ethnicity – African-Americans, Mexican-Americans and people of Asian descent all have a higher risk of developing glaucoma than do Caucasians.

Family History – If others in your family have been diagnosed with glaucoma, you have a greater chance of developing it. There may be a genetic link to glaucoma.

Medical Conditions – People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or hypothyroidism are at higher risk.

Medications – The long-term use of corticosteroid medications may increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

There is no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can prevent or slow vision loss. At Maple Ridge Eye Care our optometrists treat glaucoma with the most current techniques available. A combination of eye drops, oral medication or surgery may be required to protect your vision.

Do you or someone you know meet any of the risk factors for developing glaucoma?