It’s world Glaucoma week. A disease so serious that a whole week has been dedicated to sensitize everyone about this silent thief of sight.
Did you know that Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness world-wide. Currently about 78 million people live with Glaucoma.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group diseases that cause progressive, irreversible optic nerve damage, typically by increasing pressure in the eye.
What are the Symptoms:
Glaucoma is usually asymptomatic until it reaches advance stages. However one may experience:
-Seeing halos around lights (especially at night)
-Pain and redness (in acute cases).
What can Increase your Risk of having Glaucoma?
-Age: Although it affects people of all ages, the risk is higher for people above 50 years.
-Family history of glaucoma.
- Diabetes.
- Hypertension.
- Smoking.
- Abuse of steroid drugs.
What can you do about it:
Glaucoma cannot be cured but it can be managed when detected early.
- Have a comprehensive eye exam yearly.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat healthy
- Use medicines only as prescribed by your doctor.
Culled from www.glaucomapatients.org/basic/statistics
