If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma in Greensburg, PA, you know how scary this condition can be. Glaucoma is a stealthy eye disease that creeps up on people with very few evident symptoms. This is why it’s so important to get glaucoma screening tests every time you visit your optometrist. At Lappen Eye Care, we want all our patients to have the best possible eye health. Here are some tips that young people can do to avoid glaucoma later in life.

Get Regular Eye Exams

Just because you have no discernible eye problems doesn’t necessarily mean there are no developing eye problems going on. Regular eye exams will help you and your eye doctor to stay on top of your eye health. This way, any new eye issues can be quickly caught, diagnosed and treated, without them turning into something more serious, such as glaucoma.

Protect Your Eyes

Chronic UV ray exposure has been linked to a higher incidence of glaucoma rates. Even though Pennsylvania doesn’t see as much sunshine as states farther south, there remains a need to protect your eyes from the sun in both the summer and the winter. In summer, people tend to spend more time outdoors. But in winter, the sun’s glare on snow and on car windows can create a danger of UV exposure. We recommend wearing polarized sunglasses year-long, that offer 100% UV protection.

Avoid Smoking and Excess Drinking

Smoking and drinking severely restrict your immune system function. If you smoke, consider looking for ways to quit. If you tend to drink more than you should, consider finding ways to cut down or quit. These two things alone will go a long way toward preventing glaucoma later in life.

For more information about the dangers of glaucoma, or to schedule your next eye exam, contact your Greensburg, PA optometrist today.