Now that I’ve got your attention: these two issues have nothing to do with one another, except that January is both Glaucoma Awareness Month and March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month.

The globe of the eye (eyeball) is normally filled with fluid, nourishing the eye structures. Fluid is constantly being made and drained, so the volume of fluid and the pressure within the eye remain constant. Glaucoma is the accumulation of additional fluid in the eyeball, because the drainage is partially blocked. Untreated, it causes loss of vision or “blind spots.” Initially, these occur at the edges of the visual field, but can progress and involve the center of your vision. Once lost, vision in these areas cannot be recovered by surgery or medication. Most people with glaucoma have a gradual onset, and may not be aware of the vision lost until it is far advanced. In a few cases, the onset of glaucoma is rapid, with a very painful and swollen eye. You may be at risk for glaucoma if you are older, are African-American or have a family history of glaucoma.

A simple pressure test done at your eye doctor’s office will tell if you have glaucoma or are at risk for it. Medications (both pills and eye drops) and surgery are very effective at controlling the pressure and preserving your vision. You should have an eye exam including this test at least every 2-4 years if you are over age 40, and every 1-2 years over age 65, even if you have no other vision problems.

Birth defects affect about 150,000 babies each year, or about 1 in 28 births. Many are relatively mild, but birth defects remain the leading cause of death in the first year of life. They can be caused by genetic or environmental factors, but the reason for two-thirds of all birth defects remains unknown.

Genes come from the parents; about 25,000 genes are present in every person, determining traits like hair and eye color. A “genetic” disease, then, is one that is passed on in the genes. All of that genetic information is packed into 46 chromosomes inside each of our cells. Genes can also be injured by environmental factors, such as alcohol or drug use, or toxins in the outside environment.

There are some steps a woman can take to decrease (but not eliminate) the risk of birth defects. A pre-pregnancy visit with her healthcare provider can help to identify behaviors (such as alcohol use) that can be modified prior to pregnancy. It is very important that women with serious medical problems have this evaluation. Some birth defects can be diagnosed before birth using a variety of tests, and a few are even treatable before birth. As with most illness, prevention is the key. Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and street drugs while pregnant improves your chances of a healthy baby. Taking a pre-natal vitamin and folic acid is also recommended. A great source for additional information is www.marchofdimes.com.