Keep your eye on Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and affects over 70 million people of all races and social classes.

It is called the ‘silent thief of sight’ because there are usually no early symptoms or warnings signs.

That means most people with glaucoma are unaware of it until the disease is at an advanced stage. Symptoms could then include poor sight in dim light and blurred vision.

If left untreated, glaucoma causes permanent loss of vision and may lead to blindness because of a pressure build-up in the eye that damages the optic nerve. This nerve is essential for sight because it carries all the information from your eye to your brain. Once the optic nerve has been damaged, it cannot be repaired. This is why it is important to have regular eye checks. An eye specialist can spot glaucoma before the optic nerve has been severely damaged.

Need to Know:

• Glaucoma usually cannot be cured and requires life-long treatment. Because of this, early detection of glaucoma is essential to improve the chances of preventing vision loss and blindness in later life.

• Glaucoma often requires ongoing treatments. These include lowering the pressure in the eye by using eye drops, lasers or surgery.

• If you have glaucoma risk factors, you should go for an eye examination and pressure check at least once yearly. Anyone can develop glaucoma.

Risk factors include:

• Medical diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and frequent migraines.

• Tablets or eye drops containing cortisone.

• Close family members with glaucoma.

• Being short or far-sighted.

• African or Asian descent.

• People over 40 are more likely to develop glaucoma.

• Eye injuries.

• Cataract.

There are numerous organisations that support people with glaucoma, including:
The Glaucoma Foundation (www.glaucomafoundation.org) and the
International Glaucoma Association
(www.glaucoma-association.com)