Lighthouse Guild Offers Tips During Glaucoma Awareness Month

How to Prevent Vision Loss from Glaucoma

NEW YORK (January 11, 2023) – Glaucoma affects over 3 million people in the United States and is often called the silent thief of sight because it robs people of vision slowly and without early symptoms. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, an opportunity to stress that regular eye exams can lead to early diagnosis and help prevent vision loss.

“It’s important to know that while glaucoma cannot be prevented or cured, it is treatable,” says Dr. Laura Sperazza, Director of Vision Rehabilitation Services at Lighthouse Guild. “Glaucoma does not have to lead to blindness. Early intervention can protect vision.”

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. As glaucoma progresses, it can lead to permanent vision loss. Most forms of glaucoma progress without any symptoms; therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam that can detect the disease in its early stages. While there is no cure yet for glaucoma, there are treatments that can slow or prevent vision loss. Treatments for glaucoma include prescription eye drops, oral medicines, laser treatment, and surgery.

As people get older, they often experience difficulties with their vision and may dismiss them as just an aspect of aging. However, it’s important not to ignore problems with hazy or blurred vision, driving at night, colored halos around lights, peripheral vision, eye pain or redness, and walking due to the inability to see curbs and steps. Only an eye care professional can determine if these symptoms are related to glaucoma or other eye conditions and begin treatments to protect vision. Anyone who experiences sudden vision changes or significant eye pain should see their doctor or go to an emergency room immediately.

Glaucoma can occur in one or both eyes. In its early stages, glaucoma does not usually have any symptoms. Many people do not even know they have it because their vision is changing so slowly. Difficulties with peripheral vision may be the first symptom they notice. Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually cause permanent blindness.

People with a family history, older people, and people with poorly controlled high blood pressure and diabetes are at increased risk. They should speak with their eye care professional about their risk and ask how often they need to have their eyes checked.

For people who already have vision loss due to glaucoma, or other eye diseases, vision rehabilitation can improve quality of life and the ability to perform daily tasks. Technology also offers great solutions including screen readers, voice over for smartphone and apps that can identify money, objects and help with independent travel.

About Lighthouse Guild

Lighthouse Guild provides exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired attain their goals. We provide coordinated care for eye health, vision rehabilitation and behavioral health as well as related services. Our podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts,” offers information and insights about technological innovations that are tearing down barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit Lighthouseguild.org.

Source: Lighthouse Guild

Press Contact: Bryan Dotson, Manners Dotson Group 917-796-8632, bdotson@mannersdotson.com