What We All Should Know About Glaucoma Awareness
- Health Hub 101, Taboo Topic
- 17 Mar, 2023
According to the National Eye Institute, 4.2 million people will have glaucoma by 2030, a 58 percent rise. Glaucoma may not show any symptoms at first, but if ignored, it can gradually rob you of your vision.
If awareness about the significance of routine eye exams to protect vision is not enhanced, we risk seeing an epidemic of blindness in combination with our aging population. The statistics demonstrate the harsh reality of glaucoma treatment failure; according to the World Health Organization, glaucoma is thought to be the cause of blindness in 4.5 million individuals globally. The leading cause of blindness among people 60 and older is specifically glaucoma.
What is Glaucoma?
A series of disorders known as glaucoma raise the fluid levels in the eye, which eventually robs patients off their sight, frequently without warning. Glaucoma can affect persons of various ages, although the most prevalent varieties generally afflict middle-aged and older people.
The optic nerve's injury results in vision loss. With almost a million wires, this neuron functions like an electric cord. It is in charge of transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. The eye, like many other organs, needs a fluid equilibrium to remain functional. However, an accumulation of pressure around the optic nerve results from excessive fluid in the eye. The optic nerve suffers irreparable damage if the pressure is not released.
While there is presently no treatment for glaucoma, it can be slowed or stopped with medication or surgery. The right course of action is determined, among other things, by the type of glaucoma.
Types of Glaucoma
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and angle-closure glaucoma are the two main types of glaucoma. An increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), or eye pressure, indicates these. Normal tension glaucoma is the term used to describe optic nerve damage that has taken place despite a normal IOP.
Any instance of secondary glaucoma occurs when another illness results in or worsens elevated eye pressure, harming the optic nerve and impairing vision.
There are almost no symptoms in the most prevalent variant. If you have glaucoma, you might not notice anything until considerable vision loss has occurred because glaucoma starts with peripheral or side vision loss.
1. Primary open-angle glaucoma
Frequently stays undiagnosed until serious visual loss has taken place. Peripheral vision is typically the first sense to suffer. Central vision may also be affected with time. The most prevalent type of glaucoma is primary open-angle. It progressively occurs when the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should; as a result, eye pressure increases and the optic nerve begins to be damaged. This form of glaucoma initially has no symptoms and has no impact on vision.
Optic nerves in some persons may be sensitive to normal eye pressure. This indicates that they have a higher than usual risk of developing glaucoma. For the purpose of identifying early indications of optic nerve degeneration, routine eye exams are crucial.
2. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Develops quickly and exhibits a range of symptoms, including:
- Sudden loss of vision
- Eye or brow aches
- Headaches
- A reddened eye
- nausea or vomiting
- dilated eyes
It's critical to arrange an eye checkup right away if you're exhibiting signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma. Glaucoma-related vision loss cannot be reversed, however treatment can halt the disease's development.
Angle-closure glaucoma frequently progresses slowly in many patients. Chronic angle-closure glaucoma is what is causing this. They do not realize they have it until the damage is severe or they experience an attack because there are no symptoms at first. If angle-closure glaucoma is not treated right away, blindness may result.
The Importance Of Regular Eye Exams
For people who are more susceptible to glaucoma, routine eye exams are crucial and may assist to avoid needless vision loss. Getting a thorough eye checkup is the greatest method to guard your vision from glaucoma. Then, if you have glaucoma, you can start receiving therapy right away.
Risk Factors
People of African, Asian, and Hispanic heritage are more at risk. Other high-risk populations include those over 60, those who have diabetes, are diabetics, and those who are very nearsighted.
Additionally, those who have a family history of glaucoma are more vulnerable. You can also be more vulnerable if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or take corticosteroids for medical reasons. You should see an eye doctor twice a year, especially if you are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
It might be difficult for many elders to find transportation to doctor's visits. Your senior loved one can receive the care they require as they age with the assistance of a reputable home care agency or assisted living facility.
Keeping Your Vision Safe
While anybody can acquire glaucoma, individuals who are obese, diabetic, have high blood pressure, are elderly, or who are African-American are substantially more likely to experience vision loss as a result of glaucoma.
Here are some steps everyone can do to preserve their vision:
1. Retaining a healthy body weight reduces your risk of having high blood pressure or diabetes.
2. Maintain a healthy diet and make an effort to exercise frequently. Low-calorie, low-sodium diets can lower the risk of glaucoma from hypertension and help you manage your blood pressure.
3. Keep an eye on and manage your blood pressure
4. Every year, get a comprehensive eye exam.
Glaucoma Treatment Options
The majority of cases of glaucoma may be controlled with medicine, some of which are as easy to use as eye drops. Selective laser trabeculoplasty, a medical technique, allows the eye to drain when drugs are ineffective or the glaucoma is severe. Surgery can help to produce drainage by removing a portion of tissue from the eye or placing a mini-shunt if lasers cannot be utilized or are unsuccessful (about the size of a grain of rice.)
Numerous people will experience this avoidable loss of vision every year. National Glaucoma Awareness Month is the ideal time to learn more about glaucoma so that you can educate your loved ones about it and encourage them to schedule frequent ophthalmology appointments.
From health and beauty essentials to vitamins and supplements, we've got you covered. Shop from the comfort of your own home and find everything you need for your health and wellness needs in our Royale Pharma website or Shopee store.
Reference:
https://www.unicityhealthcare.com/what-we-all-should-know-during-glaucoma-awareness-month/
If awareness about the significance of routine eye exams to protect vision is not enhanced, we risk seeing an epidemic of blindness in combination with our aging population. The statistics demonstrate the harsh reality of glaucoma treatment failure; according to the World Health Organization, glaucoma is thought to be the cause of blindness in 4.5 million individuals globally. The leading cause of blindness among people 60 and older is specifically glaucoma.
What is Glaucoma?
A series of disorders known as glaucoma raise the fluid levels in the eye, which eventually robs patients off their sight, frequently without warning. Glaucoma can affect persons of various ages, although the most prevalent varieties generally afflict middle-aged and older people.
The optic nerve's injury results in vision loss. With almost a million wires, this neuron functions like an electric cord. It is in charge of transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. The eye, like many other organs, needs a fluid equilibrium to remain functional. However, an accumulation of pressure around the optic nerve results from excessive fluid in the eye. The optic nerve suffers irreparable damage if the pressure is not released.
While there is presently no treatment for glaucoma, it can be slowed or stopped with medication or surgery. The right course of action is determined, among other things, by the type of glaucoma.
Types of Glaucoma
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and angle-closure glaucoma are the two main types of glaucoma. An increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), or eye pressure, indicates these. Normal tension glaucoma is the term used to describe optic nerve damage that has taken place despite a normal IOP.
Any instance of secondary glaucoma occurs when another illness results in or worsens elevated eye pressure, harming the optic nerve and impairing vision.
There are almost no symptoms in the most prevalent variant. If you have glaucoma, you might not notice anything until considerable vision loss has occurred because glaucoma starts with peripheral or side vision loss.
1. Primary open-angle glaucoma
Frequently stays undiagnosed until serious visual loss has taken place. Peripheral vision is typically the first sense to suffer. Central vision may also be affected with time. The most prevalent type of glaucoma is primary open-angle. It progressively occurs when the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should; as a result, eye pressure increases and the optic nerve begins to be damaged. This form of glaucoma initially has no symptoms and has no impact on vision.
Optic nerves in some persons may be sensitive to normal eye pressure. This indicates that they have a higher than usual risk of developing glaucoma. For the purpose of identifying early indications of optic nerve degeneration, routine eye exams are crucial.
2. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Develops quickly and exhibits a range of symptoms, including:
- Sudden loss of vision
- Eye or brow aches
- Headaches
- A reddened eye
- nausea or vomiting
- dilated eyes
It's critical to arrange an eye checkup right away if you're exhibiting signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma. Glaucoma-related vision loss cannot be reversed, however treatment can halt the disease's development.
Angle-closure glaucoma frequently progresses slowly in many patients. Chronic angle-closure glaucoma is what is causing this. They do not realize they have it until the damage is severe or they experience an attack because there are no symptoms at first. If angle-closure glaucoma is not treated right away, blindness may result.
The Importance Of Regular Eye Exams
For people who are more susceptible to glaucoma, routine eye exams are crucial and may assist to avoid needless vision loss. Getting a thorough eye checkup is the greatest method to guard your vision from glaucoma. Then, if you have glaucoma, you can start receiving therapy right away.
Risk Factors
People of African, Asian, and Hispanic heritage are more at risk. Other high-risk populations include those over 60, those who have diabetes, are diabetics, and those who are very nearsighted.
Additionally, those who have a family history of glaucoma are more vulnerable. You can also be more vulnerable if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or take corticosteroids for medical reasons. You should see an eye doctor twice a year, especially if you are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
It might be difficult for many elders to find transportation to doctor's visits. Your senior loved one can receive the care they require as they age with the assistance of a reputable home care agency or assisted living facility.
Keeping Your Vision Safe
While anybody can acquire glaucoma, individuals who are obese, diabetic, have high blood pressure, are elderly, or who are African-American are substantially more likely to experience vision loss as a result of glaucoma.
Here are some steps everyone can do to preserve their vision:
1. Retaining a healthy body weight reduces your risk of having high blood pressure or diabetes.
2. Maintain a healthy diet and make an effort to exercise frequently. Low-calorie, low-sodium diets can lower the risk of glaucoma from hypertension and help you manage your blood pressure.
3. Keep an eye on and manage your blood pressure
4. Every year, get a comprehensive eye exam.
Glaucoma Treatment Options
The majority of cases of glaucoma may be controlled with medicine, some of which are as easy to use as eye drops. Selective laser trabeculoplasty, a medical technique, allows the eye to drain when drugs are ineffective or the glaucoma is severe. Surgery can help to produce drainage by removing a portion of tissue from the eye or placing a mini-shunt if lasers cannot be utilized or are unsuccessful (about the size of a grain of rice.)
Numerous people will experience this avoidable loss of vision every year. National Glaucoma Awareness Month is the ideal time to learn more about glaucoma so that you can educate your loved ones about it and encourage them to schedule frequent ophthalmology appointments.
From health and beauty essentials to vitamins and supplements, we've got you covered. Shop from the comfort of your own home and find everything you need for your health and wellness needs in our Royale Pharma website or Shopee store.
Reference:
https://www.unicityhealthcare.com/what-we-all-should-know-during-glaucoma-awareness-month/
