World Glaucoma Week
Did you know it’s World Glaucoma Week? It is estimated that over 300,000 Australians have glaucoma, yet 50% are unaware they have it. Left untreated, glaucoma can cause vision loss and may even lead to blindness.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes irreversible vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma develops slowly and often without any symptoms.
Anyone may develop glaucoma, but the incidence increases with age. About 1 in 10,000 babies are born with glaucoma, by age 40 about 1 in 200 have glaucoma, rising to 1 in 8 at age 80.
Who is at risk?
The following factors can increase the risk of developing glaucoma:
a family history of glaucoma;
high eye pressure;
aged over 50;
African or Asian descent;
diabetes;
short or long sighted;
have had a prolonged course of cortisone (steroid) medication;
migraines;
undergone eye operation or eye injury;
high or low blood pressure; and
obstructive sleep apnoea.
Treatment of glaucoma
There is no cure for glaucoma. However, most people are able to manage their condition successfully with the use of eye drops, laser treatment, surgery or a combination of all three.
The purpose of glaucoma treatments is to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eye in order to prevent deterioration of the optic nerves and vision loss. Treatment varies from person to person.
What you need to do
Early detection is paramount, as any sight already lost cannot be restored.
Regular eye examinations with your optometrist or eye specialist, regardless of whether you need glasses, are the key to early detection and treatment of glaucoma.
