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Region 7 Update November 22nd, 2024
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Glaucoma Awareness Month

Posted by on January 3rd, 2023 Posted in: Blog


Glaucoma is a serious and potentially blinding eye condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is often called the “silent thief of sight” because there are often no early warning signs or symptoms, and vision loss can occur gradually over time. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of glaucoma, especially during January’s Glaucoma Awareness Month, organized by the National Eye Institute.

Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and result in vision loss. It is most common in adults over the age of 60, but it can also occur in younger people, especially those with a family history of the condition. People of African descent are also at higher risk for glaucoma at younger ages. The impact of glaucoma is estimated to only increase, from an estimated 76 million cases globally in 2020 to a predicted 111 million by 2040.

During Glaucoma Awareness Month, it’s a good time to spread the word about the importance of regular eye exams and the risks of glaucoma. Together, we can work to prevent vision loss from glaucoma and protect our sight for years to come.

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NNLM Region 7
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
(508) 856-5985

This has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012347 with the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.

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