Glaucoma early deecion vital by Jana Pearce
Glaucoma is a common eye disease and the name given to a group of eye diseases in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly and permanently destroyed, leading to irreversible vision loss, causing tunnel vision and even blindness. In most people, this damage is due to an
increased pressure inside the eye, a result of blockage of the circulation of aqueous, or its drainage. In others, the damage may be caused by poor blood supply to the vital optic nerve fibres, a weakness in the structure of the nerve, and/or a problem in the health of the nerve fibres themselves. There are usually no symptoms until it’s
too late, however glaucoma can be detected by a comprehensive eye examination, including a check of the optic nerve. If caught early glaucoma can usually be easily treated. Glaucoma is more common with
increasing age and tends to run in families. According to recent research, immediate (first degree) relatives of people with glaucoma are nine times more likely to develop the disease. As our population becomes older,
the proportion of glaucoma patients is increasing. Radio sports commentator, Andrew Voss,
knows firsthand the difficulties faced by those suffering from glaucoma as his mother and aunt both live with the condition. “The thought of losing my vision is
terrifying. I see how both my mother and aunt struggle day to day without their full sight. Unfortunately for them it was diagnosed too late, however if caught early glaucoma can usually be treated easily, so I get my eyes checked regularly, including an optic nerve check for glaucoma.” Dr Andrew White, Consultant
Ophthalmologist, Westmead Hospital, said the lack of awareness about glaucoma is a growing concern. “Glaucoma is a relatively common eye
disease, affecting one in 200 Australians at the age of 40, and up to one in 10 at the age of 80; however half of them have not been diagnosed and are living with a condition which causes increasing and irreversible damage. It can result in permanent blindness
124 Seniors & Care Guide 2014 • If you suffer from migraines.
• Abnormal blood pressure - high or low. • Sleep apnea (snoring and/or long pauses between breathing, or constricted air flow while sleeping).
• Past or present use of cortisone drugs (steroids) such as Prednisone.
• Eye injury. •
If you have diabetes.
Essential eye tests If you are not the high risk groups, you should still get your eyes checked for glaucoma. Regular eye examinations are the best way
Dr Andrew White
yet it usually has few symptoms until significant and irreversible visual loss has occurred." Dr White said. "Early symptoms are often ignored or are
mistaken for other common eye conditions such as cataract or the need for new glasses, which highlights the need for early detection.”
GLAUCOMA AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS PEOPLE LIVING WITH GLAUCOMA. GO TO
WWW.GLAUCOMA.ORG.AU OR CALL 1800 500 880 TO
FIND OUT MORE. With an ageing Australian population it is
predicted that by 2025 glaucoma will affect almost 400,000 Australians.
Main risk factors Dr White said the main risk factors are:
• Family history of glaucoma. If people in your immediate (blood related) family have glaucoma, you should have a test annual tests from age 40. First-degree relatives have an nine-fold increased risk of developing the disease.
•
If you wear strong or thick lens glasses for short or long sightedness.
to detect glaucoma early. When you have an eye test, you should make sure it includes these tests for glaucoma: • Optic nerve check with an ophthalmoscope. • Eye pressure check (tonometry). Usually done with a "blue light". A "puff" test was once the norm, but it is not used often nowadays.
• A visual field test (this is a little like a very basic video game) and tests the sensitivity of the side vision, where glaucoma strikes first.
• A photo image of the back of the eye. Most optometrists are offering this as it provides a "history" to track any changes over time.
If you feel that you have not had an
adequate eye test or have concerns about your vision or eye health, speak with your GP to get a referral to an ophthalmologist.
What happens if you have glaucoma? Although there is no cure for glaucoma it can usually be controlled and further loss of sight is either prevented or at least slowed down. Treatment can save remaining vision but it
does not improve eye sight. Treatments include:
• Eyedrops - these are the most common form of treatment and must be used regularly. In some cases pills are prescribed.
• Laser (laser trabeculoplasty) - this is performed when eye drops do not stop deterioration in the field of vision.
• Surgery (trabeculectomy) - this is performed usually after eye drops and laser have failed to control the eye pressure. A new channel for the fluid to leave the eye is created.
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