January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Here at Nova Vision Center, we encourage you to let your family and friends know about this eyesight-stealing condition. Scheduling an eye exam this year is a great way to prioritize your eye health and ensure you are receiving the care you need.
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve. It is caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which happens because of the inability of the eyes’ trabecular meshwork or the angle between the iris and cornea to drain fluids.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. It is often asymptomatic in the early stages, which is why up to 50% of people with this eye condition don’t even know they have it. That’s also the reason why it is also known as the “silent thief of sight.” A cure is yet to be found, but a prompt visit to an eye doctor allows for detection of the condition in its earliest stages. This allows for prompt treatment and a better prognosis.
Risks and Treatment of Glaucoma
Anyone can get glaucoma, but certain groups are at a higher risk. These include African-Americans over the age of 40, all individuals over 60 years of age, people with a family history of the condition and those with diabetes.
Treatment and management of glaucoma can begin immediately after diagnosis and will depend on the type of glaucoma you have. Eye drops to relieve eye pressure may be prescribed if you have been diagnosed with wide-angle glaucoma, which is the most common form of glaucoma. A narrow-angle glaucoma diagnosis will require surgery to head off blurry vision and seeing halos around lights.
Nova Vision Center offers comprehensive eye exams to detect presence of glaucoma or other eye-related conditions. We also provide prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. Call (703) 578-3600 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve residents of Arlington and Falls Church, VA.
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