Did you know that Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness? January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and we would like to share some important information regarding this disease that affects more than 3 million people in the United States. Each year this number grows exponentially.

Glaucoma is a condition where the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain is damaged. Usually, this occurs because of high pressure in the eye. The most common Glaucoma test is the dreaded puff of air you receive at your regular eye exam. Although it is uncomfortable, this test will indicate how much pressure your eye is under and if there are any signs of Glaucoma.

There are many different kinds of glaucoma, but the most common type is hereditary. It is important to know your family’s eye history and relay that to your doctor. There is no cure to this disease, yet, so catching it early is incredibly important. With medication and treatments, further vision loss can be prevented, but it must be monitored for life.

We are thankful to have a specialist in glaucoma at the Black Hills Regional Eye Institute. Dr. Jorgensen has trained in prevention procedures and continues to participate in clinical research trials.

This is just another reason it is important to schedule a regular eye exam. Reduce the risk of vision loss by calling your optometrist to schedule your annual appointment today.