New research out of Sweden indicates that there may be a lot of people out there that have glaucoma that don’t know that they do.
The research indicates that about 5 percent of people aged 70 or older do have glaucoma. However, in this new study, only about half of those that were diagnosed with the disease were already aware that it was present.
This is quite concerning. Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure, which damages the optic nerve and can eventually lead to vision loss if it’s not treated. It can often develop slowly and asymptomatically, making regular eye exams crucial for early detection and management to prevent irreversible blindness. Treatment options include eye drops, surgery, or laser therapy.
There’s no cure for glaucoma and it is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S. Early intervention can prevent blindness in the vast majority of cases, but if someone is unaware that they have this disease they are more than likely not getting that early intervention. Many people do put off being checked for this disease because the symptoms aren’t always clear. The body has a tendency of allowing one eye to compensate for a deficiency in the other, making symptoms tough to spot in the early stages.
Common symptoms include blurry vision, eye pain, nausea, headache, and rainbow colored halos when looking at light. Get in touch with a doctor immediately if you have these symptoms.
This was part of the H70 study out of the University of Gothenburg. The team published their findings in the scientific journal, Acta Ophthalmologica.
Although the sample size that the researchers looked at was very small, it was all indicative of normal lifestyles and socioeconomic factors. The hope is that this finding raises awareness of just how prevalent glaucoma can be. Hopefully, it leads to more people seeking out eye care so that this condition can be positively diagnosed earlier on in the process. Eye drops that help regulate the pressure in the eye can prevent further optic nerve damage from occurring and help preserve vision for longer.
If you have questions about your ocular health, it’s really important to speak to a medical professional. They will be able to steer you in the right direction.
Questions about how in-home care (or senior care in general) can help someone suffering from a medical condition like glaucoma are all very normal. If you find yourself grappling with questions about long term health and care, please feel free to reach out to us. One of our professional caregivers will be happy to help you. Give us a call and schedule your free consultation session today.
Senior care is an essential component of an elderly individual’s wellness as they age. We would love to be a part of your family’s plan. Care is supposed to make life better, regardless of what challenges you might be up against. In-home care allows us to do this on a customizable basis for each and every person that we work with.
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