GLAUCOMA MYTHS & FACTS
MYTH: Smoking Marijuana will cure Glaucoma.
FACT: Smoking “ganja” will not help those who do not use the prescribed eye drops. They will still go blind. Other problems could develop such as stomach ulcers and lung cancer.
MYTH: If there’s no pain, there’s no problem.
FACT: The most common form of Glaucoma – Open-Angle Glaucoma initially has no symptoms. The pressure in the eye builds gradually; without treatment, blindness will occur.
MYTH: Only the elderly get Glaucoma.
FACT: Glaucoma can affect any age group from the new-born to the elderly, though increase in life expectancy is one of the high-risk factors..It is not uncommon to find children between the ages of four and tensuffering from Glaucoma which is called Juvenile Glaucoma. People who inherit Glaucoma generally develop it in their early forties. Incidences of Glaucoma increases further with advancing age.
MYTH: I have great vision, I don’t wear glasses, so I couldn’t have Glaucoma.
FACT: Most forms of Glaucoma have no symptoms or cause no change in vision until late in the course of the disease.
MYTH: If you have lost your vision due to Glaucoma, there’s no need for medication.
FACT: You must continue to use the prescribed medication. This will control the pressure within the eye and prevent further damage.
MYTH: Glaucoma always leads to blindness.
FACT: Nearly 90 per cent of all Glaucoma-related blindness can be prevented with proper treatment. The key is timely diagnosis.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF…..
- You suffer from recurring blurry vision
- You believe your peripheral (side) vision is decreasing
- You see rainbow-hued halos around lights at night
- You experience pain around the eyes after watching tv or leaving a dark room.
Facts and Myths contributed by Dr. Marlene Smith-Day, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Mandeville Regional Hospital, Jamaica.