McCord provincial hospital marks world glaucoma week

AS part of the global initiative to raise awareness about glaucoma, McCord provincial hospital in partnership with the Kwazulu-Natal government and local ophthalmologists hosted a talk on Tuesday, to increase education about the condition and its impact on South Africans. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and affects approximately 60 million people around, however many are still unfamiliar with it.

Speaking at the event, ophthalmologist, Dr Kapil Moodley saidblack South Africans were genetically predisposed to glaucoma. “Since it is not visible to the naked eye it is advisable for people over the age of 40 to get tested.Glaucoma is more common among older people. You are six times more likely to get glaucoma if you are over 60 years old. While there might not have been much treatment in the past, these days, with early detection you can outlive the disease.”

Pretty Mlaba who is part of the Glaucoma support said: “The biggest challenge for people, is that unlike other diseases or conditions you do not feel any pain, when your have it and this makes people to take the condition lightly. The support group has helped me to better understand the condition.People are not aware of glaucoma and don’t understand that treatment is to help you keep the sight you have.”

Like Mlaba, Twana Gwabaza who is also a glaucoma sufferer, stresses the importance of early detection and ongoing check-ups and treatments.

“People should visit their clinics the moment they think that their eye sight is getting worse and they must stop thinking that eye drops will make glaucoma to go away.”

The global burden of glaucoma is predicted to increase further, with the number of people living with the disease worldwide rising to an estimated 76 million by 2020. The most common form of glaucoma, often associated with a buildup of pressure within the eye, can develop without any symptoms and may lead to permanent vision loss. It is known as the ‘silent thief of sight.’ If diagnosed early, the condition may be controlled.

What is Glaucoma?

The anterior chamber is a space in the front of the eye. A clear fluid flows continuously in and out of the chamber and nourishes nearby tissues. The fluid leaves the chamber at the open angle where the cornea and iris meet. When the fluid reaches the angle, it flows through a spongy mesh-work, like a drain, and leaves the eye.

How is glaucoma detected?

Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes the following:

*Visual acuity test – this eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.

* Dilated eye exam – in this exam, drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may be blurred for several hours.

Glaucoma Treatments

Immediate treatment for early-stage, open-angle glaucoma can delay progression of the disease. That’s why early diagnosis is very important.

Glaucoma treatments include medication laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or a combination of any of these. While these treatments may save remaining vision, they do not improve sight already lost through glaucoma.