Glaucoma Essay

Improved Essays
More than three million Americans have glaucoma, making the disease not so uncommon. According to the National Eye Institute, people over the age of 60 are more at risk.

Glaucoma even has its own month, National Glaucoma Awareness Month in January. Spreading the word about the vision disease can be an all year event, and you should always ask your eye doctor if you might be at risk.

And a 58 percent increase in glaucoma cases is expected by 2030. This increase will impact nearly 4.2 million people. Glaucoma, or the “sneak thief of sight” is a debilitating disease and that strikes with little to no warning. And is permanent.

This makes prevention and awareness efforts for this disease vital. Let’s take a closer look.

What is Glaucoma?
…show more content…
It is a disease commonly found in elderly adults, however, it can affect any age group. And specific ethnic groups are at an increased risk for developing the disease as …show more content…
Many ophthalmologists agree that early detection is key to developing long-term treatment plans as well.

Prevent Glaucoma by Getting the Facts

Approximately 12,000 Americans are blinded by glaucoma. This makes getting the facts about glaucoma essential for vision care. You can discuss it with your family, friends, and even colleagues, because keeping the discussion about glaucoma open can keep vision in focus.

You or someone you know may be at high risk for the disease, so understanding and discussing it is an invaluable step in the right direction. People with diabetes or severe nearsightedness also have an increased risk for developing glaucoma, especially those over the age of 60.

If you have a history of glaucoma in your family, it is vital to discuss it with your eye doctor. This will allow you to keep your vision health a top priority. And raising awareness about the disease by showing your support is also important. Don’t let glaucoma steal your vision, take action through awareness and

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