GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is the name given to
a group of eye diseases where
the optic nerve at the back of
the eye is slowly damaged. This
prevents visual messages getting
from the retina in the eye to your brain.
If left untreated glaucoma can cause
vision loss and blindness and there are
often no symptoms, so the best way to
prevent it is to have regular eye checks.
In some cases, there may be symptoms
which include:
»Blurred vision
»Coloured rings or halos around lights
»Loss of side/peripheral vision
»Pain and redness of the eye.
WHAT CAUSES GLAUCOMA?
The exact cause isn’t known but people
over the age of 40 are more likely to
have glaucoma than younger people.
It happens when excessive amounts of
aqueous humour, an eye fluid, are
produced or don’t drain properly
and pressure inside the eye
builds up.
Risk factors include:
»High intra-ocular pressure
(pressure inside the eye).
»Medical conditions
including diabetes, heart
SEE THE FUTURE
Armed with the right information, you could have good vision for years to come.TAKE GOOD CARE
Follow these steps for a healthy future for your eyes.HAVE REGULAR EYE CHECKS
Having regular eye checks reduces the risk of permanent damage. With early
detection, about 80 percent of eye conditions can be prevented, corrected or treated.
CHILDREN: Should have their eyes tested before starting school and regularly
throughout their schooling.
ADULTS: Should have eyes tested at least every two years but your age, health or a
family history of eye disease could mean you need to have them tested more often.KNOW YOUR FAMILY’S EYE HEALTH HISTORY
Having a family history of eye disease or a medical condition with eye-related issues
such as diabetes puts you at greater risk of developing problems, so get as many
details as you can from your family.DO YOU HAVE DIABETES?
disease, high blood pressure and hypothyroidism
»Family history. If you have a family history of
glaucoma you have a greater risk of developing it
»History of eye injuries.TREATMENTS
Treatment can stop or slow down any future vision
loss but it’s important to start it early. Prescription eye
drops to relieve the pressure inside
the eye or oral medication,
and/or laser treatment may
be recommended.SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
You usually don’t develop symptoms
in the early stages but as the
condition progresses you might
experience:
»Floaters
»Blurred vision
»Fluctuating vision
»Both eyes are usually affected.HOW TO PREVENT IT
Controlling blood glucose over
time helps reduce the risk of
developing retinopathy, but annual
eye checks to detect any changes are
recommended if you have diabetes
and more frequently if retinopathy
is found.If you have diabetes, you’re at risk
of developing diabetic retinopathy,
a common complication of diabetes
where the blood vessels in your retina
become diseased and damaged.
You’re at greater risk if you:
»Have had diabetes for many years
»Have kidney damage
»Have high blood pressure or high
blood cholesterol
»The most critical risk
factor for the
development and
progression of this
condition is poor
control of blood
glucose levels.