January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases and the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the U.S., as it affects more than 3 million people in the country. The National Eye Institute projects that this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58% increase.
Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people are at a higher risk than others, including:
- People who are over 60 years of age
- People who are Black/African American and over 40 years of age
- People who are Asian American
- People who are Hispanic/Latino
- People who have a family history of glaucoma
Glaucoma has no early symptoms. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision, so you may not notice anything until significant vision is lost. The best way to prevent vision loss is with a comprehensive dilated eye exam. There is no cure for glaucoma, but starting treatment as early as possible can help prevent vision loss.
To schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718- 670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.