Glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease (of which there are several different forms) that can completely rob you of your vision. It affects around 3-million Americans, and is a leading cause of blindness. However, the good news is it can be treated.
While it affects so many people, apparently most people who have glaucoma aren’t aware of it, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. How do you know? In time for National Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, here are 12 telltale signs that should prompt you to see a physician or optometrist…
1. Risk Factors
One major form of glaucoma called “open-angle” (which is actually the most common type) typically doesn’t have any warning signs, explains the Glaucoma Research Foundation. The initial loss of sight in this form of the disease is from the peripheral vision, or the “fringes” of what you can see from the sides, so you may not notice.
However, you should regularly see your eye doctor for checkups, especially if you fall into higher risk categories—if your parents had the disease, you have an African American or Latino background, or if you have diabetes or a cardiovascular disease, adds the source. Learn more about the risk factors in the article “7 Risk Factors for Glaucoma.”
