JANUARY IS GLAUCOMA AWARENESS MONTH!
By Jason P. Allemond, O.D.
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month!
Glaucoma is a potentially, devastating, eye disease and often has no symptoms until irreversible damage and loss of vision has occurred. Glaucoma is the 2nd leading cause of blindness in the U.S. today.
Glaucoma is a result of damage to the optic nerve which in turn causes loss of vision. Increased pressure inside the eye is often the culprit, but there are other factors such as blood flow that comes into play.
There are multiple risk factors that can determine whether someone will develop glaucoma. Some of these risk factors include the following:
- Age – Those who are over the age of 60 are up to 6 times more likely to develop glaucoma.
- Family History – Those who have close relatives with glaucoma are up to 8 times more likely to develop glaucoma.
- Race – Those who have an Asian or African American descent are more likely to develop glaucoma.
- Certain Medications – Those who have been on steroids for extended lengths of time are more likely to develop glaucoma.
- Certain Health Problems – Those people who have any of the following or a combination of the following health problems are more likely to develop glaucoma: diabetes, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism.
- Eye Injury – Those who have had some sort of injury to one or both of their eyes are at risk of developing glaucoma.
The only way to properly diagnose and treat glaucoma is by having a thorough eye examination performed by a Board Certified Optometrist or Ophthalmologist who is highly trained in dealing with this particular disease process.
If you or someone you know is at risk for developing glaucoma, call us today to schedule your appointment.
Jason P. Allemond, O.D.
Williamson Allemond Regional Eye Center
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2421 Church Street, Zachary, LA 70791