January - Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms. Once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of a person’s vision can be lost without ever noticing.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness, and January is Glaucoma Awareness month.  

Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires. It is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain.

There is no cure for glaucoma at this time. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease.  See your doctor regularly, and always inquire about your healthcare options!