William Penn Life, 2001 (36. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-01-01 / 1. szám
Focusing on glaucoma Eye care professionals spread the word during Glaucoma Awareness Month According to a survey released earlier this year by the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), Americans continue to risk blindness from glaucoma. Although 74 percent of adult Americans surveyed get their eyes examined at least every two years, only 61 percent of them (45 percent of all adult Americans) report that they have a dilated eye exam, one of the best ways to detect optic nerve damage from glaucoma. This means that 55 percent of Americans are not receiving the eye test that could save their sight and may have undetected glaucoma. How can I tell if l have glaucoma? What are the signs and symptoms? • In most cases, there are no warning signs. In the later stages of the disease, some symptoms may occur. These can include: • loss of side vision • difficulty focusing on close work • seeing colored rings or halos around lights • headaches and eye pain • frequent changes of prescription glasses • difficulty adjusting eyes to the dark The best way to find out if you have glaucoma is to get regular and complete eye exams. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month and the GRF, the National Eye Institute and 30 other organizations are banning together to spread the word about the importance of regular eye care. Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the United States and affects about three million Americans. It is estimated that up to one-half of this number may be unaware they have the disease. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eye progressively increases, leading to optic nerve damage and reduced peripheral (side) vision. As the disease worsens, the field of vision gradually narrows and blindness may result. However, it is important to note that elevated fluid pressure inside the eye may put people at risk for glaucoma, but it does not necessarily mean they have the disease. Whether or not a person develops glaucoma depends on the level of pressure the optic nerve can tolerate without being damaged. The level of pressure is different for each person. "The good news is that most Americans are getting their eyes examined regularly," said Tara Steele, president and CEO of the GRF. "The bad news is that they may not be getting the tests they need to prevent blindness from glaucoma." Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. Higher risk groups include people over age 60, relatives of people with glaucoma, African Americans and people with diabetes. "We recommend that individuals in high risk groups for developing glaucoma get a thorough eye exam through dilated eyes every two years," Steele said. "We used to think that the 'puff test' that is commonly done, called air puff tonometry, was enough to detect glaucoma because it measures increases in eye pressure that usually cause vision loss. But now we know that the 'puff test' is not enough since some people have damage to the optic nerve even though their eye pressure is within normal limits." Jack McLaughling, Ph.D., acting director of the National Eye Institute, one of the federal government's National Institutes of Health, said that people at risk for glaucoma often believe that if their vision is fine, there is no need to be concerned. It is only when they notice vision loss that they take action. "It is important that people understand that when vision is lost from glaucoma it is lost forever," Dr. McLaughlin said. "However, if glaucoma is detected and treated early in its progression, it can usually be controlled before vision loss occurs." Dr. McLaughlin noted many new medications to help treat glaucoma, including eye drops, have become available in the past two years. Other treatments may include laser surgery or conventional surgery. |1VPL| Health Links For more free information about glaucoma and what you can do to preserve your vision, contact your local optometrist, your physician or one of the following: O The Glaucoma Research Foundation Toll-free: 1-800-826-6693 www.glaucoma.org O National Eye Institute (301)496-5248 www.nei.hih.gov William fenn Life, January 2001 5
