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Glaucoma Is Of Major Concern to African Americans
Glaucoma is silently robbing many African Americans of their eyesight, but that doesn't have to be the case.
The disease, which is frequently associated with high pressure within the eye, can also in turn damage the optic nerve and cause blindness. Glaucoma happens earlier and progresses faster in African Americans, and it’s the leading cause of blindness within that (it is not an “ethnicity”) group. Glaucoma happens five times more often to African Americans, and results in blindness six times more frequently.
What’s more, the risk for glaucoma is 20 percent higher for those who have family members with the disease. It’s also higher for African Americans who are over 40, extremely nearsighted, or have diabetes or hypertension.
Research indicates that the higher risk for African Americans may be genetic, so early detection and treatment is vitally important. There are several specific treatments for glaucoma, but a specialist must determine what type it is, and how advanced the glaucoma has become, before settling on a plan of action.
If you are African American and have a family history of glaucoma, or even if you don’t, it’s a good idea to have your eyes checked. Consult your eye care professional, and if you don’t have one, click here to find a treatment center near you. Early detection and treatment can save your eyesight, so this is one preventative measure worth taking right away.