Glaucoma.org is spreading the word about Glaucoma during Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms until permanent vision loss has occurred. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without an affected individual noticing. The only way to prevent this vision loss, is through yearly eye exams. If a doctor suspects you may have glaucoma, then there are several screening tests that are done to track any damage or changes. If caught early, progression of the disease and vision loss can be prevented through prescription eye drops or surgery.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma and over 60 million people worldwide have glaucoma. In the United States, over 3 million Americans are affected by glaucoma, but experts estimate that about half of them don’t know they have it yet.
Who is at risk? Those at higher risk for Glaucoma include people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent. African Americans are 6 to 8 times more likely to develop Glaucoma than Caucasians. Other high risk groups include people over 60 years old, diabetics, those that are severely nearsighted, and those with family members already diagnosed.
At the Kansas City Eye Clinic we have several Glaucoma specialists to serve you and your family:
Carl Migliazzo, M.D.
Sara O’Connell, M.D.
Johann Ohly, M.D.
If you’d like to make an appointment, please call us at 913.341.3100 or contact us here.
You can read more about glaucoma awareness on the Glaucoma Research Foundation website: http://www.glaucoma.org/news/glaucoma-awareness-month.php
This video will give you a brief overview of the disease: