Raising awareness of glaucoma
Professionals in the optometry field say that Glaucoma awareness should be raised.
Glaucoma Week started at the St John Eye Hospital last Wednesday.
Professionals from the optometrist field met to raise awareness and exchange ideas about how to fight Glaucoma.
Dr Sue Williams from the St John Eye Hospital said that Glaucoma is a name given to a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve.
“Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide yet 90% could have been prevented.
“Owing to the silent progression of the disease in its early stages, up to 50% of affected people in developed countries are not aware they have glaucoma and are not receiving treatment,” she said.
Williams said that they have done extensive research into the genetics of Glaucoma in South Africa at the St John Hospital.
“Understanding the genetics of these conditions is important to help gain an understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the disease. Because the visual loss in Glaucoma is irreversible, it is necessary to predict the disease. Genetics screening could potentially provide the solution,” she said.
Williams said that currently, regular eye examination is the best form of prevention.
“Early detection and careful, lifelong treatment can maintain vision in most people. People should have a general check for glaucoma,” she said.
