🔍 Glaucoma: Silent Thief of Sight 🔍
January is known as Glaucoma Awareness Month, and it is an important time to promote awareness. Glaucoma isn’t a single disease, but a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve due to an increase in pressure inside the eye. It’s a common misconception that glaucoma is a condition reserved for the elderly. But did you know that this “silent thief of sight” can affect individuals at any stage of life?
👁️ Why should you care?
Glaucoma can cause vision loss without any noticeable symptoms until it’s too late. This is why regular eye exams are so important, especially for those who are at higher risk of developing the disease.
👀 What does Glaucoma look like?
In the early stages, there may be no noticeable visual changes, but as damage to the optic nerve occurs, blind spots can develop in the peripheral visual field. As glaucoma progresses, individuals may experience needing more light, blurry vision, glare, a lack of peripheral vision, and difficulty differentiating contrast.
👁️🗨️ How do I get tested for glaucoma?
Glaucoma testing is typically done automatically during your annual eye exam, so it’s important not to skip these appointments. Because glaucoma is often asymptomatic in its early stages, routine eye exams are essential for detecting and addressing any potential issues before they progress.
🤝 Let’s unite in raising awareness about the importance of eye health and glaucoma screening. Share your thoughts, and experiences, and encourage your friends and family to get their eyes checked.
Together, we can shine a light on glaucoma and protect our vision for the future.
GlaucomaAwareness #EyeHealth #PreventBlindness #Healthcare