January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. As a result, many eye care organizations are increasing their efforts to educate the general population about the dangers of glaucoma
and the need for preventative screenings.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among elderly people in the United States. Increased pressure in your eye results in damage to the optic nerve, which relays information from your eyes to your brain. At first, peripheral vision diminishes. However, over time, untreated glaucoma will lead to blindness.

Early detection is crucial to successful treatment of glaucoma. By treating the disease in its early stages, you can greatly reduce the damage to your vision.

As the baby boomer generation enters their 60s, the health care costs associated with treating the degenerative eye disease are expected to skyrocket. Glaucoma already costs the U.S. economy $2.86 billion a year in medical expenses and prescription drug services, and this figure will most likely increase in the upcoming years. Glaucoma patients between the ages of 40 and 64 generally spend more than $3,000 a year on treatment, and patients over the age of 65 spend more than $5,000.

Ophthalmologists recommend going for regular eye exams that include a glaucoma screening at least once every two years once you reach the age of 40. The stakes are too high to put off these screenings. If you fail to catch glaucoma in time, you risk losing your eyesight forever.

Please contact the LASIK Directory to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.