Glaucoma Awareness Month

As we endeavor to change our optics and heighten our awareness, it is only appropriate to highlight that January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. According to NIH, glaucoma is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States and the second cause of blindness globally. According to the Mayo Clinic, glaucoma is defined as a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends visual information from your eye to your brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in your eye. But glaucoma can happen even with normal eye pressure. This is why it is called the “Sight Stealing Disease” because it slowly takes away the eyesight without warning. It most commonly affects the middle-aged and the elderly, but it can happen at any age. Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma, but early prevention can help deter further visual loss. The easiest way to be checked for glaucoma is with a comprehensive dilated eye exam. The optometrist will place drops in your eyes and then use visual field testing for diagnosis.

How to best preserve your vision:

• Annual eye exams
• Take your medications in a timely manner, no skipping.
• Get plenty of exercise.
• Eat dark leafy vegetables like collards, spinach and kale.
• Utilize 20-minute rest breaks for your eyes when using the computer.
• No smoking or quit smoking to not damage the optic nerve.
• No alcohol use to protect the optic nerve.
• Wear sunglasses on sunny days for UV protection.
• Wash your hands before putting in or removing contact lenses.

It is time to be ever vigilant and seeing our surroundings. Do not let the “thief” that is glaucoma come and steal the “light” of our pathway. Let’s protect our eye gates and vision. 

For more information, contact the NIH at 2020@nei.nih.gov or call 301-496-5248.