Guard Against The Eye Disease Glaucoma
Posted: Sunday, November 15, 2009
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
If you are in the age group of 60 and older, you are in the higher risk of developing Glaucoma. When left untreated, Glaucoma is likely to cause blindness.
There are several eye conditions that have serious consequences to your vision. Glaucoma is generally ranked as the second. People that suffer from Glaucoma have substantial pressure inside one or both eyes. This ultimately damages the optic nerve.
Unfortunately, this pressure on the optic nerve strains that communication and may result in destroyed peripheral vision. As the disease takes hold, Glaucoma can and will damage the primary and central vision as well.
This is a stealthy disease often the sufferer will not be aware of symptoms until all the damage has occurred.
Who Is at Risk?
Glaucoma often affects several high-risk groups:
- The African-American community aged 40 and older
- Adult seniors aged 60 and older, and
- Individuals of families with a known history of eye disease
- People suffering from diabetes
- People suffering from eye problems and diseases
- People with a usage history of steroids
What Is the Most Common Glaucoma Form?
Primarily, Glaucoma presents as "Open-Angle Glaucoma." Sadly, this nasty eye condition sneaks up on its sufferers. There are no specific symptoms, yet it will permanently impair vision or, worse, cause blindness.
What Can You Do?
Be sure to get regular eye examinations. Have that famous "puff test" to discover potential problems. Early detection is key in finding a Glaucoma condition.
How Does the Doctor Screen for Glaucoma
Besides the famous "puff," the doctor will dilate the pupils of each eye and look deep inside. Careful study is made of the interior structure and optic nerve.
Also, the doctor will test peripheral vision. Examination of the optic nerve and any potential damage is noted.
How Often Should Eyes Be Examined
For people aged 40 and older, the medical profession recommends eye exams every five years. If the patient is in one of the high-risk groups, examinations should occur more frequently, possibly on an annual basis. Personally, The Old Gray Mare believes the recommended eye examination schedule of 5 years for individuals older than 40 is not really that cautious . Your eyes and vision are involved so why not screen more frequently? Better to be safer and not have hindsight remorse!
Be on guard against Glaucoma and take an active stand to screen against it.
This article and many other articles on helpful topics as well as horse articles by The Old Gray Mare are found on www.DressYourHorse.com.
This Article has been viewed 376 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Very good information! Our eye docs here do not like the puff test (although this infection control RN would prefer it) and still use the one where the instrument actually sits on the eye - people should ask them how they sterilize it - wiping with alcohol doesn't cut it - and get their pressures checked! thanks for writing this! MarijoThanks for good comment. Thought I responded but answer not here - Wupps to me - The sterilization thing has me really concerned. Thanks for raising that issue Marijo Phelps! You know a lot about this and, for me, I'm going to look into this some more!They need to use bleach and let it air dry (I did infection control) - I have at least found one who uses bleach - should speak with him about allowing it to air dry. Many things live in alcohol - that's why they quit doing the canisters of alcohol sponges back in the 70s....
Thank you for reminding me about eye health. Thank you for this well-written and very informative piece.I want to thank you for joining my fan club. It is a pleasure and an honor. Best to you and yours, ~Nenita~
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.