January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, the ideal time to have a conversation with your eye professional about your vision and eye health. Glaucoma is a term used to describe several diseases of the eyes that can cause vision loss over time due to optic nerve damage. This nerve, located at the back of your eye, is responsible for sending images to the brain. Damage to this nerve can be devastating to vision, but there are glaucoma treatment options that may be able to help if caught early.
Know the Symptoms of Glaucoma
The only way to know if you are at risk of glaucoma is to have a formal screening from an eye professional. You should do this as a component of routine eye exams as well as if you have any of the early symptoms of this condition, including:
- Slow loss of vision
- Loss of peripheral vision (vision on the sides of your eyes)
- Trouble seeing without turning your head
However, it is important to note that glaucoma often doesn’t have significant, noticeable symptoms. This means that if you are at an increased risk of this eye condition, you should have more frequent exams. You may be at a higher risk if you are:
- Over the age of 60
- African American over the age of 40
- Have a family history of glaucoma
Most people should have their eyes dilated and checked at least every 1 to 2 years. This allows your eye doctor to pinpoint your risk for this condition quickly so that treatment can be applied.
Can Glaucoma Be Treated?
You may be a candidate for treatment of glaucoma through one or several methods. If you have elevated interocular pressure causing the damage, it’s critical to lower that pressure to normal levels to protect your vision. This helps to reduce the risk of damage to the optic nerve.
Contact Our Eye Doctor for Help
Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea is a highly advanced ophthalmology clinic that offers top-notch care to patients. Our clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art glaucoma evaluation technology, ensuring accurate and thorough assessments.
During Glaucoma Awareness Month, set up an appointment with our eye doctor in Wilmington, NC, to rule out any potential symptoms for this prevalent eye condition. Contact Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea today for an appointment, or call 910-769-4590 now.
