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Las mujeres hispanas tienen el doble de probabilidades respecto de los varones en cuanto a desarrollar esta enfermedad.

Hispanics are at greater risk than others to develop glaucoma. Of those over the age of 41, 6% have Glaucoma. The rate increases to 8% for those in their 60s and those 70 years of age and older it is as high as 15%, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). Hispanic women are twice as likely to have glaucoma as men, according to Eye Care America (The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology).

Eye Care America and the National Eye Institute are involved in raising awareness of glaucoma among the Latino community and the dangers of undetected and untreated glaucoma. The same institutions reported that Latinos are the least likely among their counterparts to have heard of Glaucoma, and also the least likely to have been tested for Glaucoma during a regular eye exam.

So what is Glaucoma?

It is actually a group of diseases where the normal pressure with in the eye rises and leads to damage and eventual loss of vision or blindness in the eye. This build up of pressure when the fluid drains too slowly from the eye can differ from person to person; some people are affected at a lower pressure than others. The damage takes place when the optical nerve is damaged by the build up in pressure, or insufficient draining of the fluid. More detailed information on this can be found at The National Eye Institute (Spanish/English) http://www.nei.nih.gov/glaucoma/default_sp.asp

Risk Factors

The most important risk factors for glaucoma include:

  • age (40-60 years and older);
  • elevated eye pressure;
  • family history of glaucoma;
  • Spanish ancestry;
  • farsightedness or nearsightedness;
  • past eye injuries;
  • steroid use;
  • diabetes or migraine headaches. -Eye Care America The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Diabetes danger

The very high rates of diabetes among Latinos are another reason for the increase in related eye diseases such as glaucoma. According the NEI there are 3 main eye diseases that diabetics are more likely to have as a result of their illness. The most frequent is diabetic retinopathy where the blood vessels in the retina are damaged due to diabetes. The vessels actually swell and leak fluid or can even grow new abnormal blood vessels on the retina causing damage to vision. Cataracts are another complication where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and can lead to blindness if not treated. Glaucoma is the third eye disease that can be caused by diabetes.

The longer you have diabetes the more likely you are to suffer with one of these diseases. In fact if you have diabetes you are twice as likely to get Glaucoma. Management of diabetes is vital if you are to ward off the many complicated diseases that result from it.

Prevention is the key

"…Research has shown that treatment during the early stages of glaucoma can control the disease and prevent future vision loss and blindness." –National Eye Institute NIH. The most important preventive measure those at high risk can take is to have a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years. If you have diabetes it should be once a year.

The exam itself for glaucoma by a qualified practitioner involves the placing of eyed drops in your eye to dilate the pupil. The practitioner can then see inside the eye more easily to look for signs of glaucoma.

Remember if you have diabetes according to the NEI you should;

1. Know your ABCs: A1C (blood glucose), blood pressure (BP), and cholesterol numbers.

2. Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

3. Monitor your blood sugar daily.

4. Reach and stay at a healthy weight.

5. Get regular physical activity.

6. Quit smoking.

Help available

The Family Glaucoma Snapshot campaign is an initiative from the Eye Care America from the Foundation of American Ophthalmologists to increase awareness nationwide among Hispanics. They provide free eye exams and educational DVDs to help those at risk. You can find out more about the exams by calling 1-800-391-3937, or for the DVD call 1-877-877-6327. You can also visit their web site at; http://www.eyecareamerica.org/eyecare/conditions/glaucoma/index-es.cfm in Spanish and English.

The campaign is similar to the efforts by the National Eye Institute (NEI) from the National Institutes of Health who also have detailed information at their web site in Spanish and English http://www.nei.nih.gov/glaucoma/default_sp.asp

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