Did you know that
glaucoma doesn’t affect all of us equally? January Glaucoma Awareness Month is
an excellent time to Know Your Glaucoma Risk Factors! Your
glaucoma risk is increased if:
· You are over 40 years old.
·
You are African American. African Americans are 6-8x more likely to get
glaucoma and 6-8 x more likely to have severe vision loss and blindness.
·
You have diabetes.
People with diabetes are 2x more likely to get glaucoma.
·
You are Hispanic American. Hispanic Americans face an increased risk comparable
to African Americans, but the disease may also progress faster as they age,
compared with other ethnic groups.
·
You are Asian American. Asians are at an increased risk for the less common
types of glaucoma: Angle-Closure Glaucoma and Normal-Tension Glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a leading
cause of vision loss, affecting about 3 million people in the United States. Glaucoma is a group
of diseases that damages the eye’s optic nerve. The optic nerve transmits
visual information to the brain, allowing us to see. Because glaucoma often
progresses slowly, affecting just peripheral or side vision, people with glaucoma
can lose most of their vision before they even experience any symptoms. Central vision,
the vision used to read, drive or watch TV, is unaffected until the disease is
advanced. Just because you think you can see well, doesn’t mean all is well. The
key to preventing vision loss from glaucoma is early detection, diagnosis and
treatment. If you or someone you know needs a glaucoma eye exam please schedule
an appointment today at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at
205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Facebook.
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care center in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.
