Top your 2020 resolution list with a vision check-up. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, making it an excellent time to ramp up vision health in your home health marketing.
Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that can lead to blindness if not controlled. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. There is no cure for glaucoma and any vision lost as a result of it cannot be restored. However, if detected early vision loss can be slowed or even prevented.
There are many types of glaucoma, but primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common. This condition first appears as blind spots in the peripheral vision. If left untreated, these blind spots can form a tunnel that will eventually over take a person’s sight.
Unfortunately, this progressive damage often goes undetected until the disease is in an advanced stage.
High Risk Factors:
Family history
Age (Over 40)
High intraocular pressure
Thinning corneas (keratoconus)
Extreme visual problems (Myopia or Hyperopia)
Previous eye injury
Ancestry: African American, Asian, Hispanic, Inuit, Irish, Russian, or Scandinavian descent
Prolonged use of corticosteroids
Contributing medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, or sickle cell anemia.
Home health provides consistent care that places nurses and home care aids in patient homes on a regular basis. This type of familiarity helps in the early detection of many progressive conditions like glaucoma.
Do your part as a medical professional to spread the word about the importance of having annual eye exams. Prepare now to promote eye health and all the benefits of home health on your social media outlets throughout the month of January.
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Resources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20372839
https://nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/glaucoma-eyes#1