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January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Currently, over
3 million people in the United States have glaucoma and approximately 120,000 of
them are blind because of it. Experts are expecting these numbers to skyrocket
in the coming years. Because eye damage from glaucoma is irreversible, it is
important to have regular eye exams for early detection and prevention. Here
are 7 important facts about glaucoma everyone should know.
1. What Is Glaucoma?
The term glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that
cause damage to the optic nerve, the nerve that sends visual impulses to the
brain. Glaucoma occurs when the fluid that flows into the eye, the aqueous
humor, does not flow out at an equal rate and causes pressure build-up in the
eye.
2. The Most Common Glaucoma
The most common type of glaucoma is called open-angle
glaucoma. It often doesn’t cause vision changes at first because it occurs
gradually when fluid drains too slowly from the eye. If left untreated, it
will create blind spots in the vision. Because this type of glaucoma builds up
over time, it is important to visit an eye doctor regularly to catch it early
and prevent damage.
3. Types of Glaucoma
Angle-closure, or closed-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma,
occurs when the iris (the colored part of the eye) is close to the drainage
hole and blocks the drainage angle. It acts like a thin blockage over a sink
drain. If the iris blocks the drain completely, it creates an acute attack
because the pressure builds up quickly. This causes an eye emergency.
4. Normal-Tension Glaucoma
Some people develop normal-tension glaucoma, which
occurs when the pressure in the eye is normal, but they have symptoms such as
blind spots and optic nerve damage.
5. High Eye Pressure
Other people have higher than normal eye pressure,
called ocular hypertension, but have no damage. They are called “glaucoma
suspects” and have a higher risk than other people of eventually developing
hypertension. For them, regular eye exams are especially important.
6. Risk Factors for Glaucoma
Some people are at greater risk of developing glaucoma.
Risk factors include: being over 40; being of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent;
having eye injury or requiring corrective lenses; using long-term steroids;
having thinning optic nerves or thin corneas; and having diabetes, migraines,
or high blood pressure.
7. Research on the Aronia berry & Eye Inflammation
A study published in 2005 demonstrated that the
anthocyanins in Aronia berries have an anti-inflammatory effect on the eye.
This can help prevent uveitis, a condition that can lead to glaucoma.
Eating healthy food can help prevent some types of glaucoma. Superberries Aronia berries contain many of the compounds doctors recommend to help prevent glaucoma, such as antioxidants, leutein, zeaxanthin, magnesium, Vitamin C, and flavonols. Adding Aronia berries to your daily diet is easy and delicious with Superberries products.
