Local eye doctor raises awareness during Glaucoma Awareness Month
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) - January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month which means a new year's vision should start with a routine eye exam. Glaucoma, often called the "silent thief of sight," is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve due to increased pressure within the eye. “One of the most devastating things about glaucoma is there's no way to regain any vision that has been lost," said Dr. Jessica Randolph, VCU Health Ophthalmologist. According to the CDC, the eye disease is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss -- currently impacting about 3 million individuals in the United States. This figure is projected to significantly increase to 6.3 million by 2050, primarily attributed to the aging population. “The disease affects the peripheral vision, the side vision first, and then as things progress gets more and more closer and closer to the center of vision,” said Dr. Randolph. Lebow Eye Associates machine used to detect Glaucoma. Lebow Eye Associates routine eye exam machine. According to the Virginia Eye Institute, open-angle glaucoma is the most common form in the U.S. This is because it often progresses without noticeable symptoms, making it difficult to detect early on. Glaucoma is six times more common among Black or African American people than White people, according to the CDC. Additional risk factors include family history, age over 60, and conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. While there's no cure for glaucoma, early detection allows for effective treatment and management of the disease. Regular eye exams with your primary eye care provider are essential and the only way to know if you have it. There are three major types of treatment for glaucoma: eye drops, laser treatments and surgery. For more information on glaucoma from the CDC, click here.
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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) - January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month which means a new year's vision should start with a routine eye exam.
Glaucoma, often called the "silent thief of sight," is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve due to increased pressure within the eye.
“One of the most devastating things about glaucoma is there's no way to regain any vision that has been lost," said Dr. Jessica Randolph, VCU Health Ophthalmologist.
According to the CDC, the eye disease is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss -- currently impacting about 3 million individuals in the United States. This figure is projected to significantly increase to 6.3 million by 2050, primarily attributed to the aging population.
“The disease affects the peripheral vision, the side vision first, and then as things progress gets more and more closer and closer to the center of vision,” said Dr. Randolph.
Lebow Eye Associates machine used to detect Glaucoma.
Lebow Eye Associates routine eye exam machine.
According to the Virginia Eye Institute, open-angle glaucoma is the most common form in the U.S. This is because it often progresses without noticeable symptoms, making it difficult to detect early on.
Glaucoma is six times more common among Black or African American people than White people, according to the CDC.
Additional risk factors include family history, age over 60, and conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
While there's no cure for glaucoma, early detection allows for effective treatment and management of the disease. Regular eye exams with your primary eye care provider are essential and the only way to know if you have it.
There are three major types of treatment for glaucoma: eye drops, laser treatments and surgery.
For more information on glaucoma from the CDC, click here.
