Glaucoma - The Thief of Sight

Glaucoma - The Thief of Sight

WHAT IS GLAUCOMA? 

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve - which is the connection between the eye and the brain - If it is not treated, glaucoma can cause vision loss and irreversible blindness.

According to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, by 2020, 80 Million people will suffer from Glaucoma globally and this number is on the rise  

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA? 

Glaucoma is referred to as the “silent thief of sight” and can affect one or both eyes.

There are no symptoms during the early stages as vision stays normal and there is no pain. 

As the disease gets worse, peripheral vision will begin to fail, this means that objects straight ahead of you may be clear but objects to your sides may not be seen. Over time, glaucoma will eventually also affect the central vision causing permanent vision loss or blindness

How do you know if you have glaucoma?

An eye doctor is the only person who can tell you whether you have glaucoma or not by performing a comprehensive dilated eye exam. 

How does your vision change with advanced glaucoma?

[A picture of normal vision vs. vision of a glaucoma sufferer will be included here] 

WHO IS AT RISK?

 Although anyone can suffer from glaucoma, people who experience the following have a higher risk: high eye pressure, a family history of the disease, age over 50, diabetes, myopia, a previous eye injury, past or present use of cortisone drugs, migraine, high or low blood pressure.

CAN GLAUCOMA BE TREATED? 

There is no cure for glaucoma but it can usually be controlled and further loss of sight can be slowed down. Treatments include: 

·      Eye Drops – The most common form of treatment. Drops must be used as prescribed depending on the type of Glaucoma.

·      Laser Therapy - Performed when your eye doctor deems necessary but particularly when eye drops do not control the disease.

·      Surgery - Performed after eye drops and laser have failed to control the disease. A new channel for the fluid to leave the eye is created, thus decreasing eye pressure. 

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For more information, please contact your eye doctor