| With no early warning
signs of possible vision loss, Steen-Hall Eye Institute is
urging those at risk for glaucoma to get regular dilated eye
examinations to help detect this blinding eye disease.
One of the challenges
with glaucoma is that people are not aware that the disease is
slowly stealing their vision. By the time they realize
they are losing vision, it is too late to restore the vision
they have already lost. However, with treatment,
glaucoma usually can be controlled and remaining vision can be
protected. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and
Steen-Hall Eye Institute along with the National Eye Institute
(NEI) and 31 other organizations, are highlighting the
importance of regular eye care.
Glaucoma is a leading
cause of irreversible vision loss in the United States and
affects about three million Americans. It is estimated
that up to one-half of this number may be unaware they have
the disease. Everyone over the age of 60, Blacks over
the age of 40, and people who have a family history of
glaucoma are identified higher risk groups. These people
need to receive a dilated eye exam at least every two years.
Glaucoma occurs when the
normal fluid pressure inside the eye progressively increases,
leading to optic nerve damage and reduced peripheral (side)
vision. As the disease worsens, the field of vision
gradually narrows and blindness may result. However, it
is important to note that elevated fluid pressure inside the
eye may put people at risk for glaucoma, but it does not
necessarily mean they have the disease. Whether or not a
person develops glaucoma depends on the level of pressure the
optic nerve can tolerate without being damaged. The
level of pressures is different for each person.
While glaucoma screening
techniques have improved and can play a vital role in
educating people about the risks of glaucoma, the most
reliable to detect glaucoma is to have an eye exam in which
drops are placed in the eye to enlarge the pupils. This
allows the eye care professional to obtain a better view of
the eye's optic nerve to look for early signs of
glaucoma. Health care providers should take a more
active role in encouraging their patients to get a regular eye
exam.
Jack McLaughlin, Ph.D.,
acting director of the NEI, one of the Federal government's
National Institutes of Health, said that people at risk for
glaucoma often believe that if their vision is fine, there is
no need to be concerned. It is only when they notice
vision loss that they take action.
"With no obvious
problems associated in glaucoma's early stages, people believe
their quality of life is not affected," said Dr.
McLaughlin. "But it's important that people
understand that when vision is lost from glaucoma is it lost
forever. However, glaucoma is detected an treated early
in its progression it can usually be controlled before vision
loss occurs."
According to Dr. McLaughlin, "Many new medications, including eye drops,
have become available in the past two years to help treat
glaucoma. These new eye drops have few side effects that
could reduce patients' quality of life. Other treatments
fro glaucoma may include laser surgery or conventional
surgery."
Steen-Hall Eye Institute
is participating in the National Eye Health Education Program,
a nationwide effort coordinated by the National Eye Institute
to educate the public about the importance of preventive eye
care.
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