January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. In observance of this event, Drs. Wood and Thurmond, the esteemed eye exam specialists at Guilford Eye Center, encourage you to raise awareness about this misunderstood eye condition. Letting your family and friends know about glaucoma can go a long way in helping preserve their eyesight.
The Silent Thief of Sight
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. In fact, about 10% of people with the disease still experience vision loss even while receiving proper treatment. It can happen to anyone, from infants to the elderly, who are at a higher risk of this eye condition. Though a cure is yet to be found, it is still possible to stop its progression through constant monitoring and medication.
This chronic eye disorder occurs when the optic nerve gets damaged due to high intraocular pressure (IOP). You won’t feel any pain or symptoms that indicate increased eye pressure, which is why every eye doctor calls it the “silent thief of sight.”
The Importance of Eye Exams
Undergoing eye exams help protect your eyesight from potential glaucoma. One of the tests involves testing for eye pressure. You’re on the safe side when your results fall within the 12 to 22 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) range. However, you may be diagnosed with glaucoma if the tests show higher than normal results.
Treatment can begin immediately upon diagnosis. When you have the open-angle type, which is the most common form of glaucoma, you may be prescribed eye drops to relieve the eye pressure and halt potential vision loss. Surgery is recommended for narrow-angle glaucoma diagnosis.
Visit Guilford Eye Center today to learn about the state of your eyes. Changes may be subtle, but imaging technology can provide us snapshots that we can refer to track your eye health. Apart from eye exams, we also offer prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses from some of the popular and trusted brands.
Call (336) 387-6777, or fill out our contact form to make an appointment with us. We serve Greensboro, NC, and surrounding areas.
