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For Your Eyes Only Optometry is located in the heart of the Castro, at 552 Castro Street, between 18th and 19th streets. Look for our brown awning in the middle of the block, which leads you upstairs to the 2nd floor.

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Home » What's New » National Glaucoma Awareness Month

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Nov 09, 2015


As January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, this post is intended to emphasize the importance of knowing about the indications of this vision threatening disease. Glaucoma is a class of ocular disorders that cause damage to the optic nerve, which may lead to loss of central vision and eventual blindness. When not treated, the disease often first shows up as peripheral vision loss until it eventually results in total blindness. It is the number one reason for preventable vision loss and over sixty million people around the world suffer from the vision threatening condition.


The main source of glaucoma is thought to be increased pressure around the optic nerve. As pressure around the eye is elevated, this causes damage to the optic nerve which transports messages to the vision centers in the brain. In instances where this pathway is damaged vision is affected. Unfortunately, optic nerve damage is typically irreversible.


Glaucoma is especially dangerous because unlike other forms of blindness, there are no signs that indicate the existence of the condition until vision is already lost.
It is because of the disease's subtle nature glaucoma has obtained the nickname the "sneak thief of sight." The problem is: how can a patient prevent a condition which has no obvious symptoms?


Early diagnosis of glaucoma is the key to effective treatment. While glaucoma risk is universal, particular populations have a higher risk than others. Risk factors for glaucoma can include anyone over 45 years old, individuals with a family history of glaucoma, a predisposition to diabetes, or known eye conditions such as elevated intraocular pressure.


An effective way to detect glaucoma is to find a qualified eye doctor. There are several diagnostic eye examinations used to check intraocular pressure and the risk of glaucoma. Particularly if you are 45 or older or have one of the other risk factors named above, make sure to book a routine eye exam on a yearly basis.


The truth is that most kinds of glaucoma are not preventable. That being said, the optic nerve damage and loss of vision may be slowed by a reliable diagnosis and quick treatment. Don't delay! Contact For Your Eyes Only now, for your annual glaucoma screening.