Prevent Blindness Georgia Educates the Community on the “Sneak Thief of Sight”

ATLANTA - Jan. 5, 2015 - PRLog -- According to the 2014 Prevent Blindness “Future of Vision: Forecasting the Prevalence and Costs of Vision Problems (http://documents.preventblindness.org/Future_of_Vision_final.pdf)” report, more than 2.8 million Americans currently have glaucoma. Those numbers are projected to jump 50 percent by 2032. Furthermore, an estimated 92 percent increase, or 5.5 million new cases, is expected by 2050.

Prevent Blindness Georgia (PBGA), affiliate of Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading eye health and safety non-profit organization, has declared January as Glaucoma Awareness Month to educate Georgians on the risk factors, and treatment options and public health resources for this eye disease.

Glaucoma causes loss of sight by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve, which sends information from the eyes to the brain. When glaucoma damages the optic nerve, patches of vision are lost, usually side vision or peripheral vision.

There are several types of glaucoma, each ranging in severity as well as specific treatment options. The types of glaucoma include:

·      Chronic (Open Angle) Glaucoma: The most common form. In open angle glaucoma, aqueous fluid drains too slowly and pressure inside the eye builds up. It usually results in older adults from aging of the drainage channel, which doesn't work as well over time. However, younger people can also get this type of glaucoma.

·      Normal Tension Glaucoma: This is a form of open angle glaucoma not related to elevated pressure. People with normal tension glaucoma may be unusually sensitive to normal levels of pressure. Reduced blood supply to the optic nerve may also play a role in normal tension glaucoma.

·      Acute (Angle Closure) Glaucoma: Those of Asian and Native American descent are at higher risk for this form of glaucoma. It occurs when the drainage system of the eye becomes blocked. It causes a sudden rise in pressure, requiring immediate, emergency medical care. The signs are usually serious and may include blurred vision, severe headaches, eye pain, nausea, vomiting or seeing rainbow-like halos around lights. Occasionally, the condition may be without symptoms, similar to open angle.

·      Secondary Glaucoma: Secondary glaucoma is the result of another eye condition or disease, such as inflammation, trauma, or tumor.

In addition to an increase in the number of glaucoma cases, the study reveals that medical treatment costs related to glaucoma are also projected to skyrocket in the coming years. Today, more than $6 billion is spent annually on the eye disease. In 2032, the number is expected to jump to $12 billion a year. And in 2050, the annual medical treatment cost is estimated to be $17.3 billion.

“Glaucoma affects a variety of races, age groups, and in most cases, has little to no warning signs,” says PBGA President William Burke. “By the time vision is lost, this ‘sneak thief of sight’ cannot be reversed but only treated.”

“By staying up to date with yearly eye exams, the damaging effects of glaucoma are minimized. Half of all blindness can be prevented through early detection and treatment.”

For more information on Prevent Blindness Georgia’s eye health recommendations, including Medicare coverage for glaucoma, the Affordable Care Act and eye care, visit pbga.org or http://georgia.preventblindness.org/fact-sheets.

About Prevent Blindness Georgia

Prevent Blindness Georgia was founded in 1965 as the state affiliate of Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization since 1908. Its mission is to prevent blindness and preserve sight for the residents of Georgia which is accomplished through vision screenings for children and adults, eye exams and glasses for indigent seniors and homeless and working poor adults, public education on eye health and safety to persons at risk for eye disease, and vision screening training. To donate to our good work, visit www.pbga.org.