Glaucoma is a common disease of the optic nerve damage.
Glaucoma is a common disease of the optic nerve, which is the nerve that carries the signals from the eye to brain.
Glaucoma affects around 80 million people worldwide and is one of the main causes of irreversible blindness. For many people glaucoma is a slow condition which affects the peripheral vision first and the central vision in the later stages of the disease, although some people can suffer damage to their central vision at an earlier stage in the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential and is why optometrists look for signs of glaucoma during routine eye tests.
If during your eye test the optometrist finds signs suggestive of glaucoma he or she will refer you to a specialist for confirmation of the diagnosis and a treatment plan. At Exeter Eye our experienced glaucoma specialists will perform a full assessment and, if the condition is confirmed, discuss with you the treatment options available.
In the early stages glaucoma doesn’t tend to cause any problems with the day-to-day vision, which is why it is important to have regular eye tests to ensure it is picked up before it progresses to a more advanced stage. People with more advanced glaucoma can experience a number of problems with their vision including difficulties seeing in low light conditions, glare and an overall reduction in vision. The effect of the condition on the peripheral vision means people with glaucoma have a higher incidence of car accidents and some are unable to drive.
The term Glaucoma indicates a characteristic type of damage to the optic nerve. In many people there is no obvious cause for this but in others it is a result of raised eye pressure or a structural weakness in the eye. Certain people are at increased risk of developing the condition such as those with a family history of the condition, people with a strong glasses prescription and those with diabetes.
There are a number of different types of glaucoma, the most common being Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). It is important to determine which type of glaucoma an individual has as this determines the best treatment strategy and this requires a thorough glaucoma assessment by a glaucoma specialist .
It is not possible to cure glaucoma, with treatment aimed at slowing down or stopping further optic nerve damage. This generally involves lowering the eye pressures, even when the eye pressure is not above normal limits. options include selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), regular eye drops and glaucoma surgery. Which is best for each patient requires an individualised assessment. Our glaucoma specialists are experienced in all types of glaucoma treatment and will talk you through the best options for you.
Once diagnosed glaucoma requires lifelong monitoring with regular clinical examinations and testing to measure the degree of glaucoma damage present. Our glaucoma team have access to the latest diagnostic equipment to monitor your glaucoma closely.
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