Glaucoma Awareness Month: 5 Tips to Preserve Your Vision
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month and the perfect time to spread information and awareness about this sight-stealing disease. More than 2 million people in the United States suffer from glaucoma and that number will continue to increase significantly. This symptomless disease is not preventable. However, there are ways to preserve your vision.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure of your eye rises to a point that the optic nerve is damaged. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The exact cause of glaucoma is unknown. If for any reason the normal balance of fluid produced and draining from inside the eye is disrupted, then fluid pressure can increase within the eye. The nerve fibers and blood vessels in the optic nerve can be easily damaged by this pressure. An injury, infection or tumor in or around the eye can also cause the pressure to rise.
Glaucoma most frequently occurs in individuals over the age of 40 and there is a hereditary tendency for the development of the disease in some families. If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma may often be controlled and little or no further vision loss should occur. If left untreated, side vision (peripheral vision) and later central vision will be destroyed and blindness may occur.
There are two types of glaucoma, primary open-angle and acute angle-closure. Primary open-angle is much more common and often develops gradually and painlessly. There are no early warning signs. It can gradually destroy your vision without you even knowing. The less common acute angle-closure glaucoma, results from a sudden blockage of drainage channels in your eye and causes a rapid build up of pressure accompanied by blurred vision, the appearance of colored rings around lights and pain or redness in the eyes.
5 Tips to Preserve Your Vision
- Schedule a comprehensive eye examination. Our comprehensive eye exams will include tests for glaucoma, including a simple and painless procedure called tonometry that measures the internal pressure of your eye. During the exam, your doctor will also examine the health of the optic nerve and measure your field of vision.
- Pay attention to your risk factors. Anyone can develop glaucoma, but some people are more likely to get it. Risk factors include increasing age, African ancestry, a family history of glaucoma, previous eye injuries or surgeries, diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Exercise. A regular program of moderate exercise will benefit your overall health, and studies have shown that walking or jogging three or more times per week can have a lowering effect on your internal eye pressure.
- Protect your eyes. Preventing eye injuries that can cause glaucoma is an important preservation method. Wear protective eyewear.
- Eat healthy. Important nutrients for your eyesight, including lutein and zeaxanthin, are found in green, leafy vegetables and egg yolks. They can protect your eyesight. Fruits like berries and foods that contain omega-3 fas are also beneficial for your eye health.
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