Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine ophthalmologist Dr. Michael Krasnow and his colleagues at University Eye Surgeons are encouraging area residents to make the health of their eyes a priority this month as part of a national emphasis on glaucoma awareness.
Researchers from Prevent Blindness America and other leading vision and eye health groups have declared January National Glaucoma Awareness Month in an effort to educate the public on glaucoma. Glaucoma can damage central vision if left untreated over time and the symptoms often develop very gradually.
“Through early detection and treatment, the debilitating effects of glaucoma can be reduced and managed,” Krasnow said. “It’s very important for everyone to have an annual eye exam to identify glaucoma and other diseases, but it’s even more significant for people with certain risk factors including their age, family history, nearsightedness, use of steroids and race.”
Statistics show that African Americans are significantly more likely to develop glaucoma than white Americans.
Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is the most common form of the disease and affects more than 2.8 million people in the U.S. and, according to the latest research, the incidence of OAG is up some 20 percent in the last 10 years.
Glaucoma can be diagnosed through the use of several eye tests which can be performed as part of an overall eye exam in an office setting.
