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January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

It’s the start of the new year and a good time to learn more about the health of your eyes and the dangers of Glaucoma:

Glaucoma is an eye disease that gradually steals a person’s sight without warning. It is the 2nd leading cause of blindness around the world. There are no symptoms, there is no cure, and once vision is lost, it is permanent. Vision loss starts with loss of peripheral vision, and it’s often hard to detect until some vision loss has already occurred.

“Currently, 2.7 million people in the United States over age 40 have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase.”*

Although most of us think Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects only older people, it can affect people of all ages.

Populations that are at higher risk for Glaucoma include:

  • People with a family history of Glaucoma
  • African Americans
  • People of Russian Jewish descent
  • Diabetics
  • Hispanics
  • People who are extremely nearsighted or farsighted
  • People over 60 years of age

Routine eye exams are essential for the treatment and prevention of Glaucoma –  blindness can be prevented if caught early.

The best way to protect your sight from Glaucoma is to get routine, comprehensive eye exams. At Belcara Health, our Board certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Richard Adler, uses the latest technology to provide comprehensive and advanced care of the eyes. He specializes in the detection, management and treatment of Glaucoma, as well as other eye diseases. When Glaucoma is caught early, Dr. Adler can develop a customized treatment plan to preserve your eyesight.

“The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma.”*

Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of this disease.

For more information and to schedule your eye exam with Dr. Adler, please call 410.296.0414 or visit our website at www.belcarahealth.com

*Source: www.glaucoma.org

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