Glaucoma is like a thief that sneaks up on you in the night, silently stealing your vision. Often, people don’t realize they have it until significant damage has already occurred.
This condition affects the optic nerve at the back of the eye and can eventually lead to blindness. A recent study from Sweden reveals that many older people have glaucoma without even knowing it.
The research was part of the long-running H70 study, which has focused on the health of older individuals for the past 50 years. In this particular study, eye doctors examined the eyes of 560 people who were 70 years old.
The results were surprising: nearly 5% of these individuals had glaucoma. Even more surprising was that half of them were unaware they had this condition until they participated in the study.
Lena Havstam Johansson, who led the research, emphasized the importance of these findings. She stated, “Half of those who turned out to have glaucoma were diagnosed because they took part in the study.”
This means that many people can now start treatment early, potentially preventing further damage. The treatment is often simple, involving daily eye drops to lower eye pressure and slow down nerve damage.
Why did so many people not know they had glaucoma? The early stages of the disease are hard to detect. The good eye often compensates for the bad one, making it seem like everything is fine. This study showed that many newly diagnosed patients had normal eye pressure, indicating that you can’t rely on eye pressure alone to diagnose glaucoma.
If someone in your family has glaucoma, you’re more likely to develop it too. This study supports that idea. It also found that having glaucoma doesn’t necessarily impact overall happiness or activity levels. People with glaucoma were just as active and happy as those without it and didn’t smoke or drink more than others.
However, there is a downside. People with glaucoma reported that daily activities were a bit harder. They found it more challenging to climb stairs, notice things on the sides, and see curbs in the evening. This might lead them to stay home more often, avoiding trips out or visits with friends.
If you’re getting older, especially around 70, or if you have a family history of glaucoma, regular eye check-ups are crucial. Even if you think your vision is fine, early detection can help preserve your eyesight for many more years.
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with glaucoma, it’s not the end of the world. Life can still be fulfilling. Knowing you have glaucoma means you can start treatment and take steps to keep your eyes as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
This study sheds light on the hidden issue of glaucoma among older adults. So, keep an eye on your eye health and encourage your older relatives to do the same.
For those interested in eye health, there are studies about the growing problem of diabetic eye disease in the US and the role of fats in eye health.
Recent studies also show how to protect your eyes from glaucoma and indicate that certain eye surgeries may reduce the risk of dementia. The detailed research findings are available in the journal Acta Ophthalmologica.
If you care about eye health, please read studies about how vitamin B may help fight vision loss, and MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease.
For more information about eye disease, please see recent studies about how to protect your eyes from glaucoma, and results showing this eye surgery may reduce dementia risk.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
