Am I at Risk for Glaucoma?
Common risk factors are: -A family history of glaucoma. -African-American descent. -Age 50 or older. -Diabetic, smoker, or other micro-circulation problems. -History of previous eye trauma, inflammation, or steroid use. If you have any of these risk factors, you need to be checked for possible glaucoma. With proper treatment (usually eyedrops), glaucoma can be controlled and your vision preserved. There are 2 to 3 million Americans with glaucoma; however, only half of them are aware of it. There are no early warning symptoms of glaucoma. Years of damage can occur before vision loss is noticed. Glaucoma is the #1 cause of blindness in African-Americans and the #2 cause of blindness in the U. S. overall. It is a treatable, preventable form of vision loss if caught in time, but you must get yourself tested for glaucoma, especially if you have any of the above risk factors. What makes the eye pressure become high? Normally, a clear fluid called aqueous (different from tears) is created ins
