|
Only half of Americans know they have the common, potentially blinding eye disease; having routine eye exams can help prevent glaucoma-related vision loss Beware the “Sneak Thief of Sight” In the most common form of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, vision loss is so slow that people are often not aware of it until it is too late. Pressure inside the eye (called intraocular pressure) is elevated but not high enough to be noticeable; this pressure pushes at the back of the eye on the optic nerve, creating irreparable damage. Without proper treatment to slow the nerve damage, open-angle glaucoma patients usually lose peripheral vision first, then may eventually go blind. The good news? Knowing your risks for glaucoma and monitoring your eye health with regular visits to an ophthalmologist – a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases and conditions – can save your sight. The Oklahoma Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all adults have a baseline, comprehensive dilated eye exam at least by age 40 — the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to happen. The exam, which includes an eye pressure check, may also require a visual field examination – as determined by an ophthalmologist. For seniors age 65 and older, the Oklahoma Academy of Ophthalmology recommends having a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years, or as directed by an ophthalmologist. Some people are at greater risk for developing glaucoma and may need to see their ophthalmologist on a more frequent basis, specifically for glaucoma testing; risk factors for glaucoma include:
Vision loss from glaucoma cannot be reversed, so early detection is critical. To learn more about glaucoma and how to keep your eyes healthy, visit geteyesmart.org.
|