First, we at Site
for Sore Eyes Berkeley wish all of our readers a happy and healthy
new year in 2014 (with particular emphasis on ‘healthy.’)
As the title of this week’s blog tells you, January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and
while this subject has been covered before, a reminder (or refresher) article
never hurts. And…there is an exciting and revolutionary development going on
that those who suffer from glaucoma will indeed want to know about. What is it,
you ask?
A general definition and description of glaucoma is when the
human eyeball experiences increased pressure, which results in a gradual loss
of sight. The insidiousness of this condition is that there are no early
warning signs. There are no symptoms; one feels no noticeable pain, and it is
possible to lose up to 40% of vision before anything is noticeably wrong. And,
sadly, once a portion of eyesight is gone, it is gone for good, and cannot be
regained.
Here are
some other facts and figures:
·
According to the National Eye Institute, reportedly over
four million people in America suffer from glaucoma. The Glaucoma Research Foundation states that
just over half of this number is over the age of 40.
·
People in the African American and Latino
population are at higher risk of suffering from glaucoma.
·
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of
blindness, but it is the first and foremost cause of preventable blindness
(please note the word ‘preventable’).
We asked you to keep in mind the word ‘preventable,’ and
that is the one and (as of now) only method of battling glaucoma. There is no
cure, but there is the chance of preventing this condition through the early
detection that only a comprehensive eye exam can provide. A yearly eye exam,
that requires little time and no stress and no strain, makes all the difference
in maintaining the health of your vision. That old cliché that begins “an ounce
of prevention…” never had a more powerful or relevant parallel than having your
vision checked.
And now, we focus on that revolutionary development
regarding the treatment of glaucoma.
Although the loss of vision cannot be fully restored, those
suffering from glaucoma will soon have a breakthrough method of administering medicine to
maintain their remaining eyesight. Just over one month ago, researchers
at Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School Department of
Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology announced that they were on the threshold of perfecting a new type
of contact lens that is specifically geared toward dispensing controlled doses
of latanoprost (a medication for glaucoma) for as long as one month at a time.
This change from the at times awkward and unsteady application of eye drops to
having medication already in place will truly be a welcome change.
It remains to be seen as to whether this new phase in the
treatment of glaucoma is a one-shot deal, or an indication of positive changes
never before imagined in the world of eye health. In the meantime, we speak for
all professionals in the optical field when we ask that you help us in helping
you. It’s the New Year. If you’ve been relaxed about having your eyes checked,
make a New Year’s resolution to yourself today and make an appointment.
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