January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

  • 01/28/2021

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. Right now, there are as many as 40 million people around the world who aren’t yet aware that glaucoma is silently stealing their sight. Early detection and treatment can protect your precious sight.

What you can do: Get an eye exam now and then every year. Find a provider

Who is at risk?

Glaucoma is caused by a backup of fluid in the eye that causes increased pressure. Over time, this causes damage to the eye nerve. Everyone should be concerned and have their eyes checked regularly. Some people have a higher risk:

  • People over the age of 40
  • People who have a family history of glaucoma
  • People of African, Hispanic, Latino and Asian descent
  • People who have:

- Diabetes
- Nearsightedness
- A previous eye injury
- Extremely high or low blood pressure
- Regular, long-term steroid/cortisone use
- Thin central corneas

Learn more about glaucoma at The Glaucoma Foundation website.

The Healthwise® Knowledgebase has information about glaucoma at www.healthwise.net/hennepin.

 

DHS approved 1/28/2021, HC-1141-MC

 
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