According to the National Eye Institute, Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. People are often unaware that glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages.
If detected early, before noticeable vision loss occurs, glaucoma can usually be controlled and severe vision loss can often be prevented. Vision that is lost from glaucoma cannot be restored.
Below is a diagram of the Stages of Glaucoma showing how your vision deteriorates as the stage progresses until you lose your vision.
Anyone can get glaucoma, but those at higher risk include:
African Americans over age 40
Everyone over age 60, especially Hispanics/Latinos
People with a family history of the disease
Why do we need to know about Glaucoma? If you are pass your 60's and have a family history of Glaucoma it would be very advisable to have a serious discussion with your doctor and to submit for a COMPREHENSIVE DILATED EYE EXAM usually done every 1-2 years.
SAVE YOUR SIGHT! Make THIS your New Year's Resolution, for a healthy eye sight.
Do not be blindsided by Glaucoma as it does not have any symptoms in its early stage. If you you are at high risk of developing Glaucoma, please go to your doctor now and ask to have a Dilated Eye Exam.... it helps to detect it earlier!
SAVE YOUR SIGHT!