January is Glaucoma Awareness Month: Why Should I Care?

January signals a fresh start with new resolutions.  A better and improved you.  For us, at Pacific Eye Associates we would like to remind you that January is Glaucoma Awareness Month!  Many of you are probably thinking what is Glaucoma?  Or maybe a few of you have loved ones who have Glaucoma and may know a bit about the disease.  And a lot of you may be thinking why should I care about Glaucoma?  There are several reasons why you should care.  Today’s blog will provide a simple explanation about Glaucoma, reasons to care about the disease and what you can do to prevent Glaucoma.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve.  In a healthy eye, all the fluids around and in your eye drain and flow properly. However, in an eye that has glaucoma, the drainage system does not function properly.  Without a proper drainage system, extra fluids will start to build up in the front of the eye.  Thus, the pressure in the eye increases.  The increased pressure will damage the optic nerve.

Why Should I Care?

In very simple terms, you can eventually go blind if left untreated.  Your eyes are very important and usually forgotten about until there’s a problem.  But Glaucoma is a disease that typically does not have any symptoms in the early stages.  Which is why regular eye exams are crucial!  Once again, there are no symptoms with Glaucoma so don’t wait until your eye is in pain or until experiencing blurry vision to schedule an appointment with Dr. Scott So.

How Can I Prevent Glaucoma?

1. Healthy Diet
2. Don’t Smoke
3. Limit caffeine intake to moderate levels.  There is some evidence that suggests that high amounts of caffeine may increase eye pressure.
4. When outdoors, even on cloudy days, wear sunglasses and hats
5. Get regular, comprehensive eye exams
6. Don’t get old! (We’re joking about getting old.  Obviously, there’s no prevention from aging but Glaucoma, like most diseases, is age-related and a healthy lifestyle will help.)

Be Smart

The more you understand about this disease, the more you can do to prevent Glaucoma.  Visit our website, Instagram @pacificeyeassociates and Facebook Page throughout this month to learn more about Glaucoma.  As a reminder, the smartest step you can take is set up an appointment with our Glaucoma Specialist and Surgeon, Dr. So or one of our Optometrists.  Any of our optometrists can do a health check and complete a screening for Glaucoma.  Request an appointment today by calling us or online.  Please reach out as well if you have any questions about the disease, we are here to help you live a healthier and happier life.