Center for Vision Loss

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

O, baby, it's cold outside! But don't let the current frigid temperatures which can make your eyes water cause you to become complacent about your eye health. Remember that January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month and take some time to learn about this eye disease that can cause blindness if it goes undetected.

The National Eye Institute and the American Optometric Association both have important information about this disease in which the passages that allow the fluid in the eye to drain become clogged or blocked. This results in the amount of fluid in the eye building up and causing increased pressure inside the eye. This increased pressure damages the optic nerve, the main carrier of vision information to the brain. While people of all ages can develop glaucoma, it most frequently occurs in people who are over 40; people who have a a family history of glaucoma; people who are very nearsighted; people who are diabetic; and people who are African American.

Unfortunately the exact cause of glaucoma is not known and it cannot be prevented. Noticeable symptoms of glaucoma may be a gradual loss of side vision or blurred vision. Ultimately you may feel that you are looking through a tunnel and if the disease is left untreated, straight-ahead vision may decrease as well until no vision remains. If glaucoma is detected and treated early, it can be controlled. But the key to detecting glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least every 2 years if you believe that you are at a higher risk for the disease.

Glaucoma can usually be treated effectively by using eye drops or other medicines. In some cases surgery may be necessary but any loss of vision from glaucoma cannot usually be restored. To read more about glaucoma go to www.healthyvision2010.org.

So protect your eye health and your vision. And if you should be affected by glaucoma to the extent that it interferes with your daily life and you become visually impaired, contact the Center for Vision Loss. Since 1928, the Center for Vision Loss, a community benefit organization serving Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe Counties, has provided programs and services which improve the lives of people with vision loss and promote healthy vision. Call the Lehigh Valley office at 610-433-6018 or the Monroe County office at 570-992-7787 or go to www.centerforvisionloss.org.