Individuals reminded to get their eyes checked during World Glaucoma Week

March 11, 2010

Individuals are being reminded visit to their eye care physician during World Glaucoma Week, to determine if they're at risk for developing the eye disease.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology released an EyeSmart campaign to remind patients that being aware of symptoms could potentially prevent the condition from escalating. The week will serve was a way for those who are at a high risk of developing glaucoma to get checked out and stay on top of it.

"Glaucoma's silent onset is a key reason the disease so often damages vision before people know they have it, and why eye exams are vital," said Dr. Andrew Iwach, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and glaucoma expert. "Ophthalmologists - Eye MDs - can detect the subtle, early signs of glaucoma and provide treatment that will help people keep their best possible vision."

Some of the risk factors include elevated eye pressure, a family history of glaucoma, an age of 65 or older, an ethnicity of African, Asian or Latino and other health problems such as diabetes, low blood pressure and migraines.

According to the American Optometric Association, individuals over the age of 40 should get their eyes checked once a year to look for signs of developing glaucoma.