Glaucoma, causes of blindness at NEI

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Don't Lose Sight of Glaucoma.

RELATED TOPICS How Much Do You Know? What You Should Know Patient and Provider Perspectives Protecting Your Vision Glaucoma FAQs Spread The Word Glossary Resources Español RESOURCES What is a comprehensive dilated eye exam? Find an eyecare professional Talking to your doctor Financial aid for eye care Send Free E-Cards How to use the Listen function. Cómo utilizar la función de Escuchar.		Glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. It is one of the main causes of blindness in the United States. However, with early treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss. Therefore it is very important that it be diagnosed. Protecting Your Vision Studies have shown that the early detection and treatment of glaucoma, before it causes major vision loss, is the best way to control the disease. So, if you fall into one of the high-risk groups for the disease, make sure to have your eyes examined through dilated pupils every one to two years by an eye care professional. What You Should Know Help protect your vision and the vision of your relatives and friends. African Americans over age 40, people over 60 years of age, especially those of Mexican descent, and people with relatives that have had the illness can run a high risk of having glaucoma.	Play an active role in the care of your eyes. Ask questions and obtain the necessary information to take care of yourself and your family.
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