January is national glaucoma awareness month – an important time to raise awareness of one of the leading causes of blindness in the UK. The World Health Organization estimates that sixty million people worldwide have glaucoma.
Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it is permanent. As much as forty per cent of vision can be lost without a person noticing, hence the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.
Glaucoma describes a group of eye conditions that often affects both eyes when the drainage area of the eyes become slightly blocked preventing the eye fluid from draining, thus causing intraocular pressure (IOP) to increase above the normal range. This pressure can then damage the optic nerve, which carries over 1 million nerves from the eye to the brain, resulting in irreversible vision loss.
There can be no symptoms of glaucoma in adults until sight has deteriorated significantly, reinforcing the importance of regular eye tests to detect this serious condition. However, in some cases symptoms can vary from intense pain, redness of the eye, headache, tender eye area, seeing rings around lights and misty vision to quick loss of vision. These symptoms may not be constant, so if you are unsure, make an appointment to see your eye doctor or optometrist as soon as possible.
There are several types of glaucoma:
As glaucoma develops slowly, it is important to have regular eye examinations where your optometrist can carry out several different tests for the condition, such as:
If glaucoma is suspected, you will be referred to an ophthalmologist such as at Exeter Eye, where further tests will be carried out to confirm diagnosis and advise on treatment.
There is no cure for glaucoma to date; however glaucoma treatments generally work by lowering the pressure inside the eye so that no further damage to the optic nerve occurs. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease.
Exeter Eye is a specialist ophthalmic eye clinic treating all eye conditions and offering the very best in patient care and comfort. We always ensure we fully understand your condition and lifestyle before identifying your treatment options and then help you choose the best one for you.
Treatment options to help reduce intraocular pressure within the eye include:
For more information or to discuss glaucoma, make an appointment with one of our eye specialists today. Simply fill out an enquiry form or call Exeter Eye on 01392 699969.
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