Veterans Home Care St. Louis – Early Detection is the Best Way to Combat Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a very serious medical condition that affects the eyes and it can potentially lead to blindness. It affects millions of people around the world, the vast majority of them elderly. Glaucoma is a condition in which pressure builds within the eye, especially on the optic nerve and can lead to a slow and gradual loss of vision.
It affects veterans as well as every other population, which is why it’s so important that veterans get the proper level of care as soon as possible. Delaying care when it comes to glaucoma can be one of the biggest mistakes possible.
How to get proper care for someone who may have glaucoma?
The most important first step in overcoming glaucoma is to see an eye doctor as soon as possible. While many people see their eye doctor on a regular basis (every year or bi-annually, on average), there are those who avoid visiting either because of the cost of an appointment, fear about what they might hear, or they simply don’t think it’s necessary.
Veterans are a proud group of men and women and some may not acknowledge that something could be seriously wrong with their health, especially with their vision. They may notice some issues or trouble reading or seeing things farther away and simply pass it off as part of the aging process. In truth, glaucoma won’t usually present with pain (due to the pressure increasing in the eye), at least not for a long time. As a result, some of the early signs or symptoms can easily be mistaken as a ‘usual’ decay in the individual’s ability to see.
However, the sooner that glaucoma is diagnosed, the more options there will be for the doctor to treat it. While some people will face debilitating vision problems as a result of glaucoma, preventive measures are the best way to maximize the chances of making a full recovery or minimizing the damage.
For veterans, especially elderly veterans who may require some type of home care, being encourage to see an eye specialist once a year is the best way to stay ahead of any potential serious eye health issues, like glaucoma. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Take some time to think about ways to help veterans in your life, or your community, get the right information about glaucoma and ultimately see their eye care professional, especially if they are experiencing any type of problem with their vision.
