Glaucoma Awareness Month, What You Can Do

Glaucoma Awareness Month is January. This is the time of year when you can take part in disseminating information about glaucoma and highlight possible treatments for people suffering from the disease. You can help by telling people that there are available treatments that can prevent further vision loss.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases. It can affect people of all ages although it has been more prevalent among the elderly and the middle age population. In glaucoma, loss of vision occurs because the optic nerves are damaged due to a build-up of pressure in the eye. Pressure occurs when there is not enough fluid circulating in the eye. The fluid of aqueous humor flows through a channel in the eye. Once the channel is blocked, the fluid builds up, causing pressure and then damaging the optic nerves.

What you should know about Glaucoma

Facts that you should know about glaucoma:

  • Early detection is very important because there are ways to reduce the progress of the disease or to prevent further vision loss.
  • According to the World Health Organization, the second foremost cause of blindness in the world is glaucoma.
  • 4.5 million people today are blind because of this disease.
  • Asians, African Americans, and Hispanics are the most at risk populations.
  • Individuals who are over the age of 60, diabetics, and individuals with family members who were already diagnosed with the disease are also at risk.
  • In the US, 2.7 million individuals are suffering from glaucoma.

Why your help is important

What you can do now can help people preserve their sight. Glaucoma comes as one of the most common causes of preventable blindness. This means that with enough knowledge and information, people can seek help before it is too late or before they lose their sight. The disease has no symptoms, and once an individual has lost his or her vision, it is permanent. Thus, increasing awareness is the only way that you can help people with glaucoma get an early diagnosis and treatment.

How can you raise awareness?

Many ways exist that you can use to raise awareness. You can actively participate in awareness activities, and campaign or you can simply do it in your own way. Here are a few suggestions for spreading the word that may help you to come up with your own:

  • Talk to people about the disease. Tell them about the importance of early detection.
  • Use social networking sites to direct people to get the right treatment. For example, you can post about LASIK surgery as beneficial for people with glaucoma.
  • Refer those who need help to where they can get real help. For example, you can refer them to a reputable House laser eye clinic, such as Sugarland Eye & Laser Center. The Center uses the latest technology in eye correction treatment. They also assist patients in getting Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Spending Accounts so that they can afford the treatment.

Houston LASIK & Eye leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SE, LS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston LASIK & Eye, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.

References:

http://www.glaucoma.org/news/glaucoma-awareness-month.php

www.webmd.com/eye-health/glaucoma-eyes

http://www.eyeworld.org/article.php?sid=189&strict=0&morphologic=0&query=

 

 

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