Don't be caught by the Sneak Thief of Sight

  • Published
  • 60th Medical Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Today, more than 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older have open angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma. At least half of them don't even know they have it. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the world, second only to cataracts, and the leading cause of blindness in African-Americans.

As part of January's National Glaucoma Awareness Month, David Grant USAF Medical Center's Optometry Clinic joined with other leading eye health organizations in encouraging everyone to educate themselves on the disease as well as make eye health a priority.

"Glaucoma has long been termed the 'sneak thief of sight' because it slowly takes away vision, often without the patient even realizing it," said Capt. Christine Giblin, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron staff optometrist. "Glaucoma damages the optic nerve which sends information from the eyes to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, peripheral vision begins to diminish," Giblin said.

If left untreated, over time, glaucoma may also damage central vision. Unfortunately, once symptoms are detected, the effectiveness of treatment diminishes. Once vision is lost, it cannot be restored, Giblin said.

Risk factors for glaucoma include advancing age, family history, nearsightedness, eye injury or surgery and the use of steroid medications. Race is another major risk factor according to the National Eye Institute. Glaucoma is five times more likely to occur in African and Asian descents than in Caucasians, and they are four times more likely to go blind from it. Hispanics are more likely to develop glaucoma after age 60 than any other group.

The Eye Care Center at DGMC provides free resources to educate patients on glaucoma, including treatment options and general information. The Glaucoma Learning Center (a free website) also offers free printed materials by request including a guide for people with glaucoma. This comprehensive booklet serves as a handbook for patients and includes information on what to expect during treatment and even a list of questions to ask the eye doctor.

The Glaucoma Learning Center also hosts a glaucoma web discussion forum that allows patients and caregivers the opportunity to discuss online all subjects related to the disease. Topics range from general information on the condition and its treatment, to shared experiences and emotional support.

"We want to stress to everyone that vision can be saved from glaucoma through early diagnosis and treatment," said Giblin. "Please schedule an appointment with your DGMC healthcare providers to get all the free information you can to educate yourself on risk factors, treatment options and even Medicare coverage. Let's all commit to make 2012 the year to make our eyes a priority and save our sight."

For more information on glaucoma, call DGMC's Optometry Clinic at 423-7171 or visit the Glaucoma Learning Center at www.preventblindness.org/glaucoma.