Glaucoma Awareness Month: Am I at Risk?

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, and our eye doctors want to remind individuals about the importance of regular eye exams for maintaining good vision. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is the cause of approximately 9-12% of all cases of blindness in the United States. However, most men and women living with glaucoma exhibit no symptoms during the earliest stages of this disease. Particularly in cases of open-angle glaucoma, the optic nerve can become damaged without any noticeable signs.

Since early glaucoma detection may lead to prompt treatment and vision preservation, our eye doctors recommend routine eye exams to allow for screening. Patients who are considered high-risk for developing glaucoma can include people:

• Over the age of 60
• Over the age of 40 who are of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent
• Living with diabetes
• Who have a family history of glaucoma
• Who are extremely nearsighted

Although there is no cure for glaucoma, we offer many treatment options at The Eye Institute of Utah that can help control the disease and preserve your vision. Common glaucoma treatment methods include medicated eye drops or oral medications that can relieve pressure on the optic nerve. Other forms of glaucoma treatment include laser treatments (SLT, ALT or LPI), implanting filtration/drainage devices, or trabeculectomy surgery. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, your eye doctor will determine which treatment method is best suited for your unique needs.

If you have additional questions about glaucoma or treatments for this eye disease, or to schedule a consultation with one of our eye doctors, please contact our office today.