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• Blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery
• Contact Lens Fitting
• Low Vision

Glaucoma: The Thief of Sight
Impact on Your Life

Glaucoma can be extremely problematic to your vision, and it is the second-leading cause of blindness in the U.S. Glaucoma now needs to be taken seriously. Once you have been diagnosed with glaucoma you will need to make simple lifestyle changes in order manage your disease. If you have been diagnosed at an early point the eye doctor will then suggest a treatment protocol based on taking medication to control intraocular pressure. Once the treatment protocol for medications is administered patients can typically return to a normal life. Taking medication will be critical or the disease can progress. Glaucoma patients typically struggle with integrating all of the medicating times into one day. Successful patients often try to take the medicine or drops at times such as waking, sleep time, or meals and snacks.

Although patients can be depressed at the onset of this disease it is important to not be consumed with the negative aspects. This disease does not have to limit your lifestyle. Continue with regular activities and try not be consumed with the emotional aspects of having a disease. If you have a business start new initiatives, if you play golf, go hit some golf balls or if you enjoy cooking, try some new recipes. It is a condition that can be managed very successfully, though not cured.

Please feel free to consult with our staff or the dedicated surgeons at Campanella & Pearah Eye Care Associates. Because we specialize in treating and managing this disease we have a unique perspective and opportunity to help our patients live with glaucoma.

There are many individuals stepping up to help the glaucoma research initiatives. After the sports world was shocked with the sudden blindness of MVP baseball star Kirby Puckett, increased public awareness of this disease has occured. The eye care community, including the Glaucoma Research Foundation, surges forward in an effort to find better methods to treat glaucoma. Someday there may even be a cure for this disease.

People Most At Risk
Risk Factors

Glaucoma can impact anyone or any family. All people should be concerned about the glaucoma disease and the potential harm it could cause someone’s life. Because this disease is also known as the sneak thief of sight we must remind each other, especially our elders to get regular eye examinations. Early detection could save your vision.

Glaucoma: Those At Risk?
People at greater risk for glaucoma:

1. People of African-American descent
2. Adults over the age of 50 years
3. Those with a significant family history of glaucoma
4. People who have diabetes
5. Nearsighted patients
6. People with high intraocular pressure

• African-Americans have a greater than average chances for developing glaucoma than do people of other racial backgrounds.
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) now recommends that people with other risk factors for glaucoma have their eyes examined.
• Corticosteroids that are inhaled are most often used to treat asthma and have been reported to raise intraocular pressure (IOP)

Additional information can be found on some of these other websites

Get the Facts about Glaucoma
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp

Provided courtesy of the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health. This is a pertinent website that contains frequently asked questions about the symptoms, detection, and treatment of glaucoma. This is a great place for recently diagnosed patients that gather additional information.

The Glaucoma Foundation
http://www.glaucomafoundation.org/

The Glaucoma Foundation is a non-profit eye care organization dedicated to leading the fight against glaucoma and identifying new treatment options. This website has general information regarding glaucoma and it provides glaucoma resources including a page where patients, families, and friends can locate support groups.

American Glaucoma Society
http://www.glaucomaweb.org/

The American Glaucoma Society strives to promote treatments or care for individuals with glaucoma by supporting ophthalmologists who treat the disease. Contact the American Glaucoma Society, P.O. Box 45161, San Francisco CA 94145-0161

Need more information or would like to set up an appointment?
Contact us at: 610-678-4552