January is National Glaucoma Month. It’s also a good time to learn more about what this condition is and how it affects your vision. There are over 3 million people across the U.S. that have glaucoma. Projections released by the National Eye Institute predict that the number of cases will grow to 4.2 million by 2030. That’s an increase of nearly 60%.

What Is Glaucoma?

Many people have heard their eye doctor mention glaucoma, but some don’t fully understand what it is or how it can harm their sight. When fluid builds up in the front region of the eye, it applies pressure to the organ. This can lead to optic nerve damage which can cause blindness.

There are two main types of glaucoma:

• Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma – This type of glaucoma is the most common and happens when a clog prevents fluid from draining. As the pressure builds, it damages the optic nerve and can cause blindness with no pain.
• Angle-Closure Glaucoma – This type of glaucoma happens when the iris is positioned close to the drainage angle. This can cause the iris to block the drain. Pressure will rise quickly, causing an emergency situation. This type of glaucoma can come with sudden symptoms like headache, severe eye pain, vomiting, blurry vision, and halos or rainbow-colored rings around light sources.

Schedule an Eye Checkup

National Glaucoma Month reminds us to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. Even if you aren’t experiencing any discomfort or vision changes, you should still go in for regular exams. Some conditions show no signs until it is too late. Take care of your eyes by visiting your ophthalmologist this month. Schedule you appointment with Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey today!

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