10 – 16 March is World Glaucoma Week. This year’s theme is, ‘Uniting for Glaucoma-Free World’. The World Glaucoma Association is calling on patience, health care providers, and organizations to join their initiative to spread awareness.

According to the World Glaucoma Association, Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness. This is one big reason why regular eye checks are so vital. Glaucoma isn’t always obvious. In some cases, people with Glaucoma don’t experience symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. The sooner it can be diagnosed the sooner you can receive treatments that can prevent vision loss and total blindness.

As someone who’s visually impaired and battles Glaucoma, sharing the following information and spreading awareness means a lot to me.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is not one particular eye condition. It’s actually the term for a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects our eyes to our brain. It transmits visual information our eyes pick up, so that the brain can make sense of the images we see. If your optic nerve is damaged, you will experience vision problems and even total vision loss. 

Types of Glaucoma

There are several types of Glaucoma, these are the most common ones.

Primary Glaucoma

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form in the United States. In simple terms, Open Angle Glaucoma prevents naturally occurring eye fluids draining at a normal rate. The channels for draining fluid from the front of the eyes are partially blocked. Fluid buildup causes high eye pressure that squeezes blood vessels, preventing proper blood flow to the optic nerve. The high eye pressure also presses on the optic nerve itself, causing damage.

Here are 5 facts about Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

1. According to the National Eye Institute, In the US, 9 out of 10 people with Glaucoma have POAG.
2. According to the NHS, ‘Both eyes are usually affected, although it may be worse in one eye.’
3. It progresses slowly and in its early stage you may not experience any symptoms. If high eye pressure persists your peripheral (side) vision will be affected before your central vision. And because of this, you may not realise that you’re having vision problems.
4. Age, ethnicity, and family history are all factors that could increase the risk of Open Angle Glaucoma onset.
5. Eyedrops, laser, and surgical procedures are available treatments for managing high eye pressure and Open Angle Glaucoma.

There are also cases where fluid from the front of the eyes cannot drain properly because of Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG). With PACG, the shape and position of the eye blocks the opening to the drainage channel. This causes the same high eye pressure and damage to the optic nerve. PACG is rare, but age, gender, ethnicity, and family history are factors that may increase the risk.

Secondary Glaucoma

Unlike Primary Glaucoma, Secondary Glaucoma is caused by another eye disease or other medical conditions. The effects are the same, increased eye pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve.

Eye trauma, injury, surgery, and certain medications could cause Glaucoma. Medical conditions like diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia could also cause Glaucoma.

Certain eye conditions or eye abnormalities could also cause Glaucoma. For example, in my case, our family has a congenital, genetic eye condition called Aniridia. This is where the iris is underdeveloped and causes other complications including Glaucoma. While there’s no cure for Aniridia, we undergo continuous monitoring and treatment for Glaucoma. This helps prevent further damage to the optic nerve, mitigating further vision loss.

Childhood Glaucoma

Babies and children can develop Glaucoma. This type of Glaucoma is rare. According to Glaucoma.uk, about 5 out of 100,000 are born with Glaucoma or develop it in childhood. It could be caused by eye developmental abnormalities or other medical conditions that cause high pressure or affect the optic nerve.

Other Symptoms of Glaucoma

• Hazy or blurred vision
• Eye sensitivity
• Severe eye pain
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Appearance of rainbow coloured circles around bright light

What Can You Do on World Glaucoma Week

Check – Whether you have Glaucoma or not, make sure you are getting regular eye checks. This is the number one thing to do. Sight is precious. There is no cure for Glaucoma, but there are treatments and vision loss could be averted. 

Share – Share this information. People who are older are at greater risk. It’s easy to forget to set up appointments when life is busy. But sharing information could encourage someone to take action.

Where to get more information

To learn more, you can visit the website sources for this article:

World Glaucoma Week

https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/

World Glaucoma Association

https://wga.one/

National Eye Institute

https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma/types-glaucoma#:~:text=Open%2Dangle%20glaucoma%20is%20the,notice%20vision%20loss%20right%20away

Glaucoma UK

https://glaucoma.uk/

NHS

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/glaucoma/#:~:text=Glaucoma%20is%20a%20common%20eye,not%20diagnosed%20and%20treated%20early.

The post World Glaucoma Week appeared first on RealSAM USA.

Embracing retirement years comes with a unique set of adventures. But sometimes, our eyes need a little extra TLC to keep up with the journey. If you or a loved one notices changes in your vision, it’s time to pay attention to what your eyes may be going through. Here are 10 signs of age-related sight loss. Knowing what to be aware of can empower you to be proactive about your health and eye care.

1. Changes in Visual Acuity

Have you found yourself squinting at the morning paper or holding the latest novel closer than usual? It’s not just your imagination playing tricks. These may be early signs of age-related sight loss. It’s important to report changes to your doctor who could refer you for a complete eye check. Early attention could prevent further vision loss and other complications.

2. Increased Sensitivity to Light

Are bright lights causing you to squirm? Do you find yourself reaching for a pair of sunglasses more often? Have you decreased the brightness of screens and devices? Maybe you can’t stand looking at websites with a lot of white space or bright colors. If you’re experiencing these things, your eyes have developed light sensitivity or photophobia. Light sensitivity and glares can be symptoms of age-related eye conditions like glaucoma. The sooner you can pinpoint the cause, the sooner you can work with your doctor towards a treatment or a solution.

3. Altered Color Perception

The world is a vibrant canvas, but what if the colors start to blur? Have you noticed a subtle shift in the hues around you? Is it challenging to distinguish between certain colors? If you’re experiencing a general dimming of your color perception, don’t ignore the changes. These could be indicative of various eye conditions such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration. It’s a cue to check in with your doctor.

4. Difficulty Adjusting to Change

Is it becoming difficult to adjust from bright to dim environments and vice versa? It could be another sign that you’re experiencing age-related sight loss. Your vision may become blurry or hazy. Or you see spots that take time to clear as you transition from one type of lighting to another. There may be a developing eye condition that needs to be addressed.

5. Impaired Night Vision

Is it harder to navigate at night? If you’re finding yourself squinting and struggling to decern shapes and shadows, don’t blame it on a long day. It could be another sign of potential age-related sight loss. If left unchecked, there’s a greater risk of experiencing accidents, especially if you’re driving. It may also be disorienting to walk around. It’s vital to be aware of your sight at night. You want to avoid seemingly small trips and falls that are much harder for older individuals to recover from.

6. Frequent Prescription Adjustments

How many times have you had to change your prescription glasses in the past couple of years? While it’s great that you can get clearer vision with a new prescription, too many changes may be a sign that it’s time to consult with your doctor. There may be a an underlaying problem that hasn’t been detected. Or you may need to discuss a more lasting solution for better vision, like undergoing cataract removal surgery.

7. Reduced Peripheral Vision

Do you sometimes feel like you missed seeing something because you weren’t looking at it directly? This may be a sign that you’re experiencing reduced peripheral vision, or tunnel vision. Age related eye conditions like glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetes related retinopathy could cause tunnel vision. It’s vital that you get medical advice as soon as possible.

8. Eye Strain and Discomfort

Do you experience eye strain and discomfort? Maybe you feel tightness, pressure, and at times get headaches during or after visually demanding tasks like reading or working on the computer. Yes, it could just be inadequate lighting or focusing on something for too long, but it could also be a sign of age-related vision issues. Be sure to check in with your doctor.

9. Random Mishaps

Have you felt frustrated due to random mishaps you can’t explain? Bumping into furniture or people, knocking over a glass, taking a long time to find an item that was right in front of you, not recognizing someone, misreading a sign or a label, tripping, and missing steps… Don’t feel like you’re being careless or having a streak of bad luck. These occurrences may be because you’re experiencing changes to your vision.

10. Lights and Floaters

Do you sometimes see flashes of lights that aren’t really there? You may randomly see stars, sparks, and flashes of light.  Additionally, eye floaters are spots in your vision that could look like small specks, larger shadows, or even strings. These may be caused by age-related changes in different parts of your eyes. It’s important to note and report your experiences with your doctor or eye care specialist.

Don’t Panic and Don’t Lose Sight

Remember, this journey is about discovery and empowerment. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it may be sight loss or it may be altogether a completely different issue. Just be sure to consult with your doctor about issues and changes. This will help you make the most informed decision about your eye health. Sight loss or not, don’t lose sight—at this phase of life, you should be enjoying all the freedoms that come with your senior years. You’ve made it this far, don’t let any challenges stop you from being your best.

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