January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive, and complicated eye disease.   Glaucoma is the third most common cause of blindness in the United States.  Risk factors for this disease include being 50 years of age or older (4- 10 times higher prevalence), race (African Americans are 6- 8% more susceptible), other health problems (higher risk if one has diabetes), and family history (especially parental).  A person with the most common type of glaucoma, primary open angle, seldom has symptoms or complaints.

While there is no cure for this sight-threatening disease, there are new medical and surgical treatments available, and early detection is important.