Blindness from Glaucoma Decreases

If you already have glaucoma or have risk factors that increase your chances of developing glaucoma, you will be pleased to learn that thanks to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma the risk of going blind have been greatly decreased. In fact according to research from Mayo Clinic, the chance of vision loss and risk of blindness from glaucoma has dropped by nearly 50%. In the Mayo Clinic study, they reported that the likelihood of losing sight in one eye was 28 percent for patients diagnosed with glaucoma between 1965 and1980 and that the number fell to 13.5 percent for patients diagnosed between 1981 and 2000.

About Glaucoma, Diagnosis & Treatment

Glaucoma is a condition where the eye does not drain fluid properly, resulting in high pressure in the eye that can damage the optic nerve. In the United States, 2.7 million people age 40 and older have the condition. If left untreated, glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and eventually may cause blindness. At Alabama Eye & Cataract Center our doctors stress the importance of patients having regular eye exams with glaucoma testing as this is the best way to detect glaucoma early and initiate treatment as quickly as possible. Patients have a key role to play here in following through with making and keeping their appointments. This is especially important for any patient who has one or more glaucoma risk factors such as any family history of glaucoma, a marginally elevated eye pressure, diabetes, being a smoker, high blood pressure, being of African-American or Hispanic descent, an early onset of menopause or suffering from sleep apnea to name a few

If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma, have any risk factors for glaucoma or needs to schedule a glaucoma eye exam please call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is leading eye care center in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.