How much do you know about Glaucoma? For many Americans, the answer is very little. With forecasters suggesting the number of Americans with Glaucoma is expected to rise exponentially in the next 20 years, it’s time we also raise awareness. Luckily, January has been dubbed Glaucoma Awareness Month to help spread the word about how to prevent this blinding condition!
What is Glaucoma? A type of eye condition that damages the optic nerve, causing disconnect from the eye to the brain. This disconnection leads to the appearance of blind spots in vision.
There are four different types of Glaucoma.
- Chronic Glaucoma: This is the most common type of Glaucoma, often found in aging adults. It results from a build up of pressure inside the eye.
- Normal Tension Glaucoma: This form of Glaucoma occurs in people who have a normal amount of pressure in their eyes, but are more sensitive to these normal levels.
- Acute Glaucoma: Acute Glaucoma is most commonly found among people with Asian or Native American decent. This condition causes a sudden rise in pressure within the eye due to a block in the drainage system. In general, a person experiencing this will encounter blurred vision, head and eye pain, nausea or vomiting, and will require immediate medical attention.
- Secondary Glaucoma: Finally, Secondary Glaucoma occurs after a person has already had a different eye condition that damaged the optic nerve, such as eye or head trauma, inflammation or a tumor.
How do you prevent Glaucoma? 50% of all blinding eye conditions can be prevented with early intervention and treatment. Stay on the lookout for unusual vision patterns, and make sure you don’t blow off your annual eye exam! Schedule yours today by calling (414) 787-5888 or online by clicking here!