The Glaucoma Foundation was very helpful during our preparations for Blogathon. I asked them to say a few words to our readers today.

From Jessica Exelbert, Director of Research and Development:

The Glaucoma Foundation is pleased to be involved with Blogathon 2007. Our goal is to find a cure for glaucoma, which is often called the ’sneak thief of sight’. If you have glaucoma, oftentimes you don’t know it, because there are no symptoms. It’s only found after there has been significant and permanent damage to your vision. Nine times out of ten, blindness from glaucoma could have been prevented. The Glaucoma Foundation urges everyone, young and old, to get your eyes checked this year… you may save your sight!

Glaucoma is a number of eye diseases, many of which are caused by increased pressure in the eye, resulting in damage to the optic nerve, which can cause blindness. However, some cases of glaucoma can occur when the eye pressure is within the normal range.

Glaucoma Risk Factors

While everyone should get regular eye exams, there are a few conditions related to this disease which tend to put some people at greater risk.

Age over 45

Family history

African descent

Reduced corneal thickness

IOP (intraoccular pressure) above the normal range

Additional factors:

Diabetes

Nearsightedness (myopia)

Severe eye injury

Prolonged cortisone or steroid use

Low blood pressure

Categories: Announcements, Health