Glaucoma Awareness Month: The Silent Thief of Sight

3-Minute Read

With January being National Glaucoma Awareness Month in the United States, Galt Foundation seeks to raise awareness regarding the importance of regular eye exams for early detection of glaucoma. Known as the “silent thief of sight,” it can occur at any age and its effects are irreversible.

Today, approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide have a vision impairment or blindness, and about 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States alone, more than 3 million individuals live with glaucoma, and it is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.
With January being National Glaucoma Awareness Month in the United States, Galt Foundation is continuing its efforts to raise awareness around vision impairments and eye health this month. In this blog, you will learn more about glaucoma, the steps you can take to prevent or slow vision loss, and how to move forward with glaucoma. 

Understanding Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that gradually damage the eye’s optic nerve, which is responsible for good vision. The damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye, and vision loss due to glaucoma cannot be reversed.
Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs, and their effects can be very gradual. Those who suffer from glaucoma generally do not notice a change in vision until the condition is at an advanced stage.
Individuals diagnosed with glaucoma generally need treatment for the rest of their lives, and, as of today, there is no cure. This is why it is incredibly important for everyone to get regular eye exams. 

Getting Regular Check-Ups
The National Eye Institute projects that about 4.2 million Americans will have glaucoma by 2030 due to the country’s aging population and lack of awareness regarding this condition.
Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight.” While individuals over the age of 60 are six times more likely to get glaucoma, many people are unaware of the fact that it can occur at any age. There are different forms of glaucoma, which can impact infants aged one to 24 months, young children, and adults between ages 20 and 50. It can even develop in people who have 20/20 vision and no symptoms.
Although the condition is not curable, there are steps an individual can take to slow or prevent further vision loss. Regular, comprehensive eye exams that include measurements of eye pressure help with early diagnosis and treatment. 

Moving Forward With Glaucoma
For those living with vision impairments or vision loss caused by glaucoma, this condition does not need to limit your life. There are adjustments that can be made to help you move forward both personally and professionally.
You could consider joining a support group for people living with glaucoma. Being a part of a community of individuals with similar experiences can help you cope with changes, especially if the vision loss or impairment occurred rapidly. Support groups can also help reduce distress and provide valuable lessons.
Having a visual impairment should not hinder your professional growth, either. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that individuals with disabilities have equal access and opportunities within the workplace. Today, there exist a number of accommodating technologies that can help employees with vision impairments fulfill their responsibilities in the workplace.
In addition, learning to read Braille can be highly beneficial to those living with glaucoma. Not only does Braille help to communicate written information, but a 2009 study by the National Federation of the Blind found that Braille-literate individuals are more likely to attain higher levels of education and employment.

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Galt Foundation Can Help
If you have a disability and are seeking employment, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the qualified and friendly experts at Galt Foundation. We are dedicated to finding the best jobs for people with disabilities.
Feel free to submit your resume here, or call our toll-free number at 1-877-361-1277, and we would be more than happy to help. We look forward to hearing from you!