How to Prevent Optic Glioma

It is imperative to do what you can to keep your eyes healthy and to prevent ocular diseases such as optic glioma, which is a condition that causes blindness due to tumors pressing on the optic nerves.

Instructions

1. Get tested for neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1). It is an autosomal dominant disease, which means that it can be transmitted to a child by the carrying parent at birth. The disease is caused by a genetic mutation, so a history of family illness does not necessarily point out potential carriers or sufferers. NF1 is closely related to optic glioma.

2. Have an MRI scan done of your head. Most people will not put themselves through this test unless something is feared to be wrong. But there are some companies that require MRI screenings. While it’s not a good idea to have them often, they can help to diagnose any potential brain issues such as optic glioma.

3. Pay careful attention to your vision. There are some very tell-tale signs of optic glioma. If you lose vision in either or both of your eyes, experience involuntary eye movement or experience bulging of the eyes, contact a medical professional immediately.

4. Visit the optometrist regularly for vision tests. Regular vision tests are a good idea for detecting and preventing serious ocular diseases and disorders. The earlier a disease or disorder is detected, the more effective and successful the treatment is likely to be. Get checked out immediately if you have any suspicions or concerns.

5. Schedule an appointment with the doctor. While optometrists can diagnose problems from a purely ocular standpoint, doctors can run more extensive tests that will point directly to the cause of the problem. If they have any suspicion of optic glioma, they will most like refer you to a specialist if they are not one themselves.