Wellness Tips - Glaucoma Awareness

Glaucoma is a disease that slowly steals your vision without warning. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Most people do not know they have it.

Glaucoma is often caused by increased pressure that can develop when the fluids in the eye are not draining properly. The pressure eventually damages the nerve in the eye that connects the eye to the brain which leads to vision loss.

There is no cure for glaucoma, however, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss.

Glaucoma can be treated with the following:

• Eye drops that lower pressure
• Laser therapy that allows for better drainage of the fluids inside the eye
• Eye surgery to create a new drainage canal

The treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma and other factors.

Early detection is important.

Glaucoma can lead to total blindness if not treated. It is easily detected with a medical eye examination. Your ophthalmologist can measure the pressure in your eye with a quick and painless test.

Detecting the disease early can save your sight.

This information is not intended to take the place of any advice given to you by your healthcare professional(s). They know what your specific medical conditions and medications are.