lions eye health programme: about glaucoma eye disease
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table containing rollover menu with hyperlinks throughout this section, about the lions eye health programme
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Glaucoma |
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the United Kingdom. It is a group of eye diseases that slowly damage the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. For most people this occurs when pressure in the eye is too high for the optic nerve to withstand. This may result in sight loss.
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It is estimated that about half a million people in the UK have glaucoma, but as many as 2.2 million people are at risk of developing the condition due to raised eye pressure. Only half of those who have the commonest form of glaucoma have been diagnosed. Most forms of glaucoma develop gradually and painlessly , so a person could have the disease for many years and not have any symptoms, even while damage is occurring . For this reason glaucoma is sometimes referred to as the “sneak thief of sight”. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored and glaucoma cannot be prevented. However, if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. For this reason health professionals often recommend an eye exam every year for people at risk. |
An eye care professional makes a diagnosis of glaucoma after a comprehensive eye exam which should include all three glaucoma tests e.g. ophthalmoscopy (a visual examination of the optic disc), tonometry (a check of the pressure within the eye) and perimetry (a check of the field of vision). While glaucoma can’t be cured, it can be treated.
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| Facts About Glaucoma |
Glaucoma usually progresses without pain or other symptoms until a late stage when considerable damage has been done and the field of vision lost
It is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the UK
About 2% of people over the age of 40 have glaucoma, but only about 50%of these have been diagnosed and are under treatment. The remaining people are slowly loosing vision every day without knowing anything is wrong
People at increased risk of developing glaucoma include anyone over the age of 40. those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetics, those with high myopia or very short sight, and people of African Caribbean origin over the age of 30
Over time, a person with Glaucoma may notice their side vision gradually failing. That is, objects in front may still be seen clearly, but objects to the side may be blurry or absent. As the disease worsens, the field of vision narrows and blindness can result
Treatment includes prescription eye drops to lower the pressure in your eyes. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be needed
Early diagnosis through regular, comprehensive eye exams which include all three glaucoma tests is the key to protecting your vision
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