Protect Your Vision: Be aware of the dangers of Glaucoma
Most people take their vision for granted—until it starts to change. Unfortunately, some conditions put your eyesight in peril without any early symptoms. Such is the case with glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States, especially in older adults and African Americans. It causes loss of vision that is painless and progresses so slowly that patients cannot even notice their worsening vision. Unfortunately, the loss of vision is irreversible and leads to blindness if undetected. That is why glaucoma is called the “thief of vision.” While there is no cure for glaucoma and loss of vision cannot be reversed, treatment can often stop the damage and prevent further vision loss. The key is to detect glaucoma early, especially if you are at risk. How do you know if you have glaucoma? The only way to detect glaucoma is by an eye exam.
“There are some health conditions that make you more likely to develop serious problems in your eyes, including glaucoma,” notes Negin Agange, MD. “Diabetes and high blood pressure are just two of them, along with certain thyroid conditions.” By far, the greatest risk of developing glaucoma is a family history. Any person over age 40 with a family history of glaucoma should have their eyes evaluated periodically, ideally every two years.
“Protecting your vision is of part overall health, and Providence physicians are committed to helping you maintain your eyesight,” says Dr. Agange. Here are the top tips for keeping your eyes healthy.
- Get regular eye exams – Regular eye exams are not only important for preserving your vision, but they can also reveal a lot about your overall health. Between ages 40 and 64, you should get an eye exam every two to four years. Those 65 and older should plan on yearly eye exams. Of course, if you experience any vision problems, book an exam right away.
- Give your eyes a break – If you spend a lot of time staring at phone, computer or TV screen, give your eyes a rest with the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Wear your glasses – If you need them for vision correction, wear them on a regular basis. And whenever you are outdoors, protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses that block at least 99% of the sun’s UVA and UVB radiation.
- Eat right to protect your sight – Keep your eyes healthy by eating a well-balanced diet, especially fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens and fish such as salmon, tuna and halibut have all been shown to help your eyes.
- Practice good hand hygiene – We touch our eyes and nose more often than we know, and germs lurk everywhere. Always wash your hands before putting them close to your eyes, especially if you are putting in or taking out contact lenses.
Remember, there is a lot you can do to protect your eyes. With care and a little vigilance, your eyesight can last you a lifetime.
Call (310) 937-6585 to make an appointment
with Dr. Negin Agange, MD.
