March 12 marks the second annual World Glaucoma Day to build awareness and understanding about the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment of glaucoma, the world’s second leading cause of blindness.1 Prevent Blindness America is proud to support this initiative.
Led by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA), World Glaucoma Day is a unique initiative to help those with an interest in improved eye health to understand the devastating effects of a condition which could affect as many as 80 million people by 2020.2
As part of World Glaucoma Day and the All Eyes on Glaucoma™ initiative, everyone is encouraged to keep an “Eye on the Future” by being proactive about their eye health today in order to help prevent problems with their vision tomorrow with the help of five important tips.
The Five Tips to Help Prevent Vision Loss and Successfully Manage Glaucoma are elements that can serve as useful reminders for patients and eye health professionals to help ensure successful glaucoma management. They include the following:
- Remember to get a Complete Eye Exam including assessment of your Optic Nerve
- Know your Eye Pressure or Intraocular Pressure (IOP)
- Take your Medication as prescribed
- Know your Risk Factors - Raise Awareness about the Disease
- Visit an Eye Health Professional If you are At Risk – Earlier Diagnosis and Appropriate Treatment may Potentially help Reduce the Overall Impact of Glaucoma.
“We encourage every adult to have their eyes examined by a professional to protect their sight,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “There’s no cure for glaucoma yet, but treatment can help prevent vision loss if glaucoma is detected and treated early.”
Due to the build-up of natural fluid produced by the eye, high eye pressure causes permanent damage to the optic nerve, the “cable” used by the eye to communicate to the brain.3A As the optic nerve becomes increasingly damaged, permanent vision loss and blindness can occur.3B Early detection is the key to treating and potentially preventing the effects of glaucoma, but current worldwide estimates reveal that more than 50 percent of glaucoma sufferers do not even realize they have the disease.4
There are several known risk factors for glaucoma, which include increasing age, family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure (also known as elevated intraocular pressure or IOP), nearsightedness, African and/or Asian descent.5, 1B Of these, IOP is currently recognized as the only modifiable risk factor for glaucoma. Lowering IOP in glaucoma’s early stages offers the best chance of helping preserve vision.6
More information about World Glaucoma Day can be found at the official Web site, www.wgday.net. To learn more about glaucoma, visit Prevent Blindness America's glaucoma learning center at preventblindness.org/glaucoma.
World Health Organization. Glaucoma is the Second Leading Cause of Blindness Globally. In Focus, 2004.
Quigley HA, Broman AT. The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol 2006; 90: 262–267
The Glaucoma Foundation. About Glaucoma. Available at: http://www.glaucomafoundation.org/about_glaucoma.htm. Accessed on August 24, 2007.
Tielsch JM, Sonimer A, Katz J, Royall RM, Quigley HA, Javitt J. Racial variations in the prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma: The Baltimore Eye Survey. JAMA 1991;266:369-74.
National Eye Institute. Glaucoma Defined. What is glaucoma? Available at: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp#1a. Accessed on August 25, 2007.
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Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, it's committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.
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