Since January is Glaucoma Awareness Month we thought we would cover a few basics about the disease. Glaucoma (H40 in ICD-10 coding) affects approximately 3 million people in the United States (slightly less than 1% of the population). While this might seem like a small percentage, glaucoma can have a serious impact on those affected by it, as well as their loved ones. While glaucoma can impact people of all ages, it typically affects elderly individuals. Here are four fast facts about the disease:
#1: What Are The Symptoms of Glaucoma And How Do You Detect It?
Glaucoma is actually a general term for a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve. Because the optic nerve transmits visual information to the retina (light sensitive material at the back of the eye) and the brain, damaging it causes visual degradation and potentially blindness.
Image From VisualDictionaryOnline.com
#2: Who Is Affected By Glaucoma?
Glaucoma affects people of all ages but elderly people are at a higher risk than younger adults and children. The U.S. department of health identifies the following traits as a higher risk than the general population:
- African Americans over the age of 40.
- Mexican Americans over the age of 60.
- Anybody with a family history of the disease.
#3: What Causes Glaucoma?
Several studies have shown high pressure in the eye to be a major risk factor for glaucoma. High blood pressure in general is another often correlated indicator. That said, some people tolerate high pressure (in the eye and/or in the blood) better than others so it is by no means a certainty that glaucoma will follow.
Why Pressure? Pressure has the potential to build up in the eye in a space behind the pupil called the anterior chamber. As part of the eye’s normal operations, fluid continuously flows through this area. If everything is working properly the fluid leaves the region through the part of the eye where the cornea and the iris meet. In the event that fluid continues to build up by draining too slowly and/or failing to drain at all, the result is a pressure build up - oftentimes damaging the optic nerve.
#4: What Can Be Done for Those With Glaucoma?
According to the American Foundation® for the Blind, “6.5 million Americans age 55 and older are blind or severely visually impaired. This population is expected to more than double by the year 2030, when the last generation of baby-boomers reaches age 65.”
- Mobility assistance and independent living skills: specially designed devices such as long canes and/or techniques for orientation and getting around the home.
- Communication assistance: guides for writing with low-vision, using larger print, and even learning braille for reading, writing, and labeling are all effective techniques to deal with poor eyesight.
- Rehabilitation and vision therapy: doctors often prescribe optical devices and special low-vision aids to enhance one’s ability to use diminished eyesight.
As mentioned above, H40 is the base code for glaucoma. Here are some of the subset codes for particular conditions:
H40.139: pigmentary glaucoma
H40.829: hypersecretion glaucoma, unspecified eye
H40.823: hypersecretion glaucoma, bilateral
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