05/01/2026
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which in most cases produce increased pressure within the eye due to a backup of fluid. Over time, most types of glaucoma can cause damage to the optic nerve. Through early detection, diagnosis and treatment, you and your doctor can help to preserve your vision. π
It is important for each of us, from infants to senior citizens, to have our eyes checked regularly, because early detection and treatment of glaucoma are the only way to prevent vision impairment and blindness. There are a few factors related to this disease which tend to put some people at greater risk:
* People over the age of 40.
* People who have a family history of glaucoma.
* People with abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP).
* People of African, Hispanic, Latino, and Asian descent.
* People who have:
β Diabetes
β Myopia (nearsightedness)
β Regular, long-term steroid/cortisone use
β A previous eye injury
β Extremely high or low blood pressure
β Thin central corneas
Everyone under 40 should have a comprehensive eye examination every three to four years. Individuals under 40 with one of the above risk factors should get tested every one and a half to two years. Everyone 40 years or older should have a comprehensive eye examination every one and a half to two years. If you are 40 and have an additional risk factor listed above, get tested annually. Anyone with high risk factors should be tested every year or two after 35. π€ποΈ
Every gift to The Glaucoma Foundation gets us closer to a cure. You can start to fundraise for TGF today to advance sight-saving research.