Glaucoma - Are You at Risk?

1/25/2004 12:00:00 AM

There are approximately 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older that have glaucoma and half are at risk for going blind because they do not know they have the disease. You could be one of them.

Fort Myers, FLA (January 25, 2004) -- There are approximately 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older that have glaucoma and half are at risk for going blind because they do not know they have the disease. You could be one of them.

Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain, is damaged. It can be associated with elevated pressure within the eye and could lead to vision loss. It may begin with the loss of peripheral vision and then advance to a reduction in central vision. Glaucoma can potentially lead to blindness. "Most people who have glaucoma don't notice symptoms until they begin to lose some vision. But vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented if it's caught and treated in time," said Dr. Rick Palmon, M.D, a board-certified ophthalmologist with offices in Fort Myers, Naples and Cape Coral. "As part of Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, we urge you to get a complete eye exam if you're at risk for developing glaucoma."

So, who's at risk? "African-Americans have a higher incidence of glaucoma and it often appears at a younger age than in other racial groups. Anyone with a close relative - father, mother or sibling - with glaucoma, older people, those with diabetes and people who've had a serious eye injury are also considered at risk," says Dr. Palmon. Anyone who falls into these groups should talk with their eye doctor about how often they need to have their eyes examined to ensure good vision.

Although glaucoma cannot be cured, early detection and treatment can usually preserve vision. Know your risk factors and have your eyes examined at the intervals recommended by your eye doctor.

The office of Southwest Florida Eye Care is a full-service eye care medical practice specializing in cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment and refractive surgery to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Comprehensive eye exams for all ages are offered.

Offices are located at 13670 Metropolis Ave, Suite 105, across from Gulf Coast Hospital in South Fort Myers and in Naples at the optometric practice Rory Brienen, O.D., in the Naples Walk shopping center at the intersection of Vanderbilt Rd. Ext and Airport-Pulling Road. An office in Cape Coral is scheduled to open this fall.