Eye Etiquette Optical Boutique
Photograph of an older patient having her eye examined for glaucoma.

Glaucoma Awareness Month – Prevention and Management

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. What better time to learn about a leading cause of blindness? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve. This damage can cause irreversible vision loss if not detected and managed early. Glaucoma, often called the “silent thief of sight”, affects nearly half a million Canadians. Despite this, fewer than half of Canadians are familiar with the disease. This lack of awareness means many people don’t realize that detecting glaucoma early requires regular comprehensive eye exams.

Learn more about glaucoma, its symptoms, and treatment options at Fighting Blindness Canada.

Glaucoma awareness: How can I prevent glaucoma?

While there is no surefire way to prevent glaucoma, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of developing the disease:

🏃‍♂️ Studies show that regular physical exercise helps reduce the pressure in our eyes. Eye pressure is a key factor in developing the disease.
🥬 Eating enough fruits and vegetables (especially leafy greens) also helps with eye health.
🩺 Other health conditions, like diabetes and hypertension, increase the risk of glaucoma. It is important to manage these conditions if you have them.
🚭 Limiting caffeine and quitting smoking can also lower the risk of developing glaucoma.

I’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, how can I manage it?

If you have glaucoma, all of the prevention tips can help you manage it better. Other tips to manage the disease include:

1️⃣ Always use your eye drops or medications as your doctor prescribes.
😴 Make sure to rest your eyes often, especially when reading or using computers.
🧘 Finally, try stress-relieving activities like mindfulness or yoga.
These changes will help with your glaucoma and improve your overall health.

Most important of all, regular eye exams are your first line of defense against glaucoma. These exams are crucial for early detection, as symptoms are not noticeable in the early stages. Our team at Eye Etiquette is passionate about providing comprehensive eye care, during Glaucoma Awareness Month and every month. If it’s been a while, we encourage you to book an appointment for a thorough eye examination. It’s a simple, yet powerful, step in protecting your vision and ensuring your eyes stay healthy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *