“Start the Conversation” During World Glaucoma Week

World Glaucoma Week is March 11 through March 16, and Vold Vision is working to raise awareness of the chronic eye disease that is the number one cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. The eye care provider is inviting the community to “Start the Conversation” by asking if glaucoma runs in their own family, and if it does, to be screened.

Glaucoma is estimated to impact more than three million people in the U.S with only half of those people knowing they have it.

“Glaucoma is a highly hereditary condition and impacts people of all ages from newborns to seniors,” said Dr. Steven Vold, Medical Director at Vold Vision. “With the number of glaucoma cases expected to surge by 2030, bringing awareness and starting people talking is key.”

Glaucoma is known as the Silent Thief of Sight, as many people can have significant damage to their optic nerve before they are diagnosed. In many cases, the condition isn’t detected until people lose their peripheral vision. “Once the vision is gone, we can’t reverse it,” Dr. Vold shared, “that is why being screened is so important.”

Vold Vision is holding free screenings at their various locations. To make your appointment, call (479) 442-8653.

Other risk factors for glaucoma include: those with diabetes or high blood pressure, people of Hispanic or African American decent, and patients with high myopia (very severe nearsightedness.