In honor of National Glaucoma Awareness Month, we are discussing types of glaucoma and the risks associated with it. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and lead to little or no eyesight.
The Basics
Optic nerve health is vital for good vision. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, and this damage is usually caused by high pressure in the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. While there is currently no cure for glaucoma, there are medications and surgeries available to help prevent or slow the process of vision loss.
Risk
People who are of African, Asian and Hispanic decent are at higher risk, as well as people over the age of 60. Studies show that glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for people over the age 60. Other high-risk groups include family members of those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma, diabetics and people who experience severe nearsightedness.
Types of Glaucoma
There are two common types of glaucoma, open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma strong risk factors include high eye pressure, family history, age 40 and older for African Americans, age 60 and older, thin cornea and suspicious optic nerve appearance. Risk factors for angle-closure glaucoma include age 40 and older, family history, farsightedness, prior injury or eye surgery and East Asian and Inuit ethnicity.
Prevention
Medical experts urge patients to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet. Because vision loss due to glaucoma can’t be recovered, it is imperative to have regular eye examinations. These exams allow specialists to diagnosis the disease early on and treat it appropriately.
If are experiencing disturbances or irregularities with your eyes, we urge you to visit your doctor and ask for a referral to come visit us. At Touchette Regional Hospital, we employ ophthalmologists that are credentialed in numerous health plans.