January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness worldwide. Glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages.
If detected early, before noticeable vision loss occurs, glaucoma can usually be controlled, and severe vision loss can often be prevented. Vision that is lost from glaucoma cannot be restored.
Anyone can get glaucoma, but those at higher risk include:
* African Americans over age 40 * Everyone over age 60, especially Hispanics/Latinos * People with a family history of the disease
Over 3 million Americans and over 60 million people worldwide have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it.
Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.
What can you do?
Talk to friends and family about glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, don’t keep it a secret. Let your family members know.
Refer a friend to our web site, www.glaucoma.org.
Request to have a free educational booklet about glaucoma sent to you or a friend (mailed within the United States and Canada).Connect with Glaucoma Research Foundation on Facebook or follow @GlaucomaOrg on Twitter for regular updates on glaucoma research, treatments, news and information.
Share information about glaucoma with your friends and family.
Read more about Glaucoma Awareness Month on the Glaucoma.org website...
If you are a health professional, also check out resources from the National Eye Institute's Glaucoma Education Program.
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