The January 2021 Community Bulletin Board at the SWAG Family Resource Center is dedicated to Glaucoma Awareness month. Read below for information about prevention, symptoms, treatment, and local resources.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that affect one’s eyes. It can cause blindness if left untreated. 2.7 million people in the United States have it, and half of them don’t know. This number is likely to increase to 4.2 million people by 2030. African Americans age 40 and above and all adults age 60 and above–especially Mexican Americans–are at higher risk.
Prevention includes:
- Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 1-2 years
- Treating high eye pressure with exercise or eye drops
- Preventing eye injuries
Symptoms include:
- Seeing halos when looking at lights
- Vision loss
- Eye color changing to red
- Vomiting
- Eye pain
- Narrow vision
Common treatments include eye drops, medication, and laser surgery.
Glaucoma-Related Community Resources
For medical attention, please consult the following list of local physicians who can assist with glaucoma-related eye complications:
Quinn Eye Center: 352-331-7771
Super Optical Express: 352-702-9700
North Florida Cataract Specialist and Vision Care: 352-373-4300
UF Department of Ophthalmology: 352-273-8787