Do you know what glaucoma is?

Most people have heard of glaucoma but do you really know what it is?

This week is World Glaucoma week and the goal of the initiative is to encourage more people to have their eyes examined.

So here are the top 10 things you should know about glaucoma:

• Anyone can develop glaucoma – it is more common in people over the age of 45  however there is a rare form than can affect babies and children.
• Glaucoma damages the eye’s optic nerve – this is the power cord that joins the eye to the brain  - initially it causes a loss of your side vision but if left untreated you may cause damage to your central vision as well
• Once you have lost vision from glaucoma it can never be restored
• There is no cure for glaucoma however with appropriate treatments, further loss of vision can be prevented.
• If you have a direct family member with glaucoma, you are at an increased risk of having glaucoma yourself
• There are generally no warning signs
• Increased eye pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma however not everyone with high pressure with develop glaucoma
• Some people are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma.  These include people who have:
  • a family history of glaucoma
  • diabetes
  • migraine
  • short sightedness (myopia)
  • previous eye injuries
  • high blood pressure
  • past or present use of steroid medications
• The only clinically proven treatment for glaucoma is to lower the eye pressure, either by the use of eye drops, laser or surgery.
• The best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is through early diagnosis, so make sure to see us at Outlook Eye Centre for a comprehensive eye examination every two years.