World Glaucoma week highlight the importance of early prevention

World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative organised by the World Glaucoma Association to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of early prevention.

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve and the most common cause of irreversible blindness.

Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common and the risk increases with age, especially over 40.

Other risk factors include a family history, people of African or Asian descent, myopia, diabetes, trauma or use of steroid medications.

While the exact pathogenesis of glaucoma is complex, the main problem is usually related to elevated intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye).

But in some patients the intraocular pressure may be normal, also known as normal tension glaucoma, and in these patients there are other mechanisms that lead to damage of the optic nerve.

Diagnosis is made by measurement of the intraocular pressure, optic nerve assessment both clinically and with retinal scans, and visual field testing.

Treatment is directed at lowering intraocular pressure and may include laser treatment, prescription eye drops, microinvasive glaucoma surgery or conventional surgery.

Most people with glaucoma are unaware they have the disease owing to both the lack of awareness and the lack of symptoms.

The aim of World Glaucoma Week therefore is to create awareness about the condition leading to early diagnosis to prevent vision loss.

An awareness day will be held at Ribumed Day Hospital, Odyssey Mall, 1 Simbithi Drive on Friday, where free screenings with Dr B Jugadoe will be offered between 10am and 2pm. To book, call 032 004 0064 or 031 581 2546.

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